** Special Announcements - For Laguna Hills City Council Term Limits Petitions Contact Barbara Kogerman at www.kogerman4council.com or Jean Bland at BlandMJ@AOL.com to sign and/or circulate.
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03/23/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
4 City Council Members were present, Craig Scott arived
at 7:20 pm and was present to the end of the meeting.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – Deputy Richard Nelson, from Lake Forest, with Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) presented MADD's 2009 Duece Award to Deputy Scott Watson for his efforts in the ID and Apprehension of impaired drivers in Laguna Hills. Deputy Wilson amassed 76 DUI arrests in 2009. Deputy Nelson added that for a simple case there is an 8 page report following every arrest and that DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is one of the proactive things police can do in law enforcement to stop an accident before it happens and actually make a difference. Deputy Watson has been assigned to Laguna Hills for 3 years and has developed an expertise in identifying and apprehending drunk drivers, consistently leading Laguna Hills Patrol Deputies in DUI Arrests. Every year MADD recognizes police officers for their efforts in reducing or eliminating drunk driving on our roadways and in communities throughout the nation. Through this award they remind everyone that drunk driving is not a victimless crime.
Laguna Hills Police Chief Steve Doan added there are 21 Sheriff's Deputies in Laguna Hills that are equally as competent as Scott is. He said the chances of being a victim of a violent crime in South Orange County are very low, but traffic accidents are the big threat to citizens and made worse by impaired drivers. He added that about 75% of the total arrests made for impaired drivers in Laguna Hills were made by Deputy Watson and that all the deputies concentrate on traffic safety.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT - by Jason Brower announced the upcoming very rigorous exams for the AP (Advanced Placement) exams and the IB (International Baccalaureate) program exams which have already started. In the IB exams most students have completed their first formal oral presentation consisting of being given a piece of poetry and then asked to comment on it for roughly 15 minutes without prompting. A tape of their comments is then sent somewhere in the world (to Europe this year) to be graded. There is also the NHS (National Honor Society) Blood Drive which is coming up. Many students have signed up for that and there are usually a number of incidents related to wooziness or being unable to complete the day due to blood loss but the blood goes to Saddleback Hospital and each pint of blood collected can save about 3 lives. Most classes are beginning their preparation for the AP exams which consist of 4 or 5 exams.
Jason added that based on the discussion at the last city council meeting, he took a poll of students in the Appaloosa area regarding the traffic signal planned for the Appaloosa /La Paz Intersection and he found that there was an overwhelming feeling that this stop light was not needed. He noted that he was unable to find one person who demonstrated overwhelming support for this stop light.
CONSENT CALENDAR *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
Item 4.2 - The Warrant Register = $905,525.71 - see complete listing of money spent at city web site under Agenda for March 23, 2010 Item 4.2
$610.44 to Business Graphics + $475.00 to Raceplace Magazine + $800.00 to Competitor SC for Event Promotional Services for Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon Event.
$20,925.83 to Faubel Public Affairs for "City Views" Spring Publication.
$31,453.50 to Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart for Professional Fees Legal Services
Item 4.3 - EcoNomics Recycling Services Agreement - Request for total compensation by the city to EcoNomics, Inc. to not exceed $83,850 in the new agreement beginning August 2010. EcoNomics is a consultant to the city re. waste franchise administration, State compliance, and recycling - these funds come from the city's recycling funds.
Staff Recommendation - Approve the Agreement
Item 4.4 - Community Assistance Funding for the Laguna Hills High School Grad Night
$4000 is appropriated in this year's budget for this event - 21st Annual Grad Night Celebration
Staff Recommendation - Authorize the funding
Item 4.5 - 2010 Half Marathon and 5K Event Update - This is scheduled for May 31, 2010. More than 200 participants registered at this time. Still no information given related to how many participants in this event are Laguna Hills Residents. Staff is reportedly collaborating with South County Outreach for the 2010 event to conduct a food drive - no details about this are given.
The event is starting at 7am and some un-named streets will be closed. Total Revenues at this time are reported to be $31,104.50 including a $15,000 donation from Saddleback Hospital and Total Expenditures are reported to be $38,256.24. The City's General Fund impact is expected to be $10,000 with expenses budgeted at $165,000 and revenue at $155,000
ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - NONE
Vote - the consent calendar was passed 4 - 0 Council MemberCraig Scott was absent from the voting.
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS -
Item 5.1 - 2009 General Plan Annual Report - It was reported that the State did certify the city's Housing Element (CHE - Certified Housing Element) - see the entire report on the city web site under "Agendas" and "March 23, 2010" and item "5.1".
Mayor Bressette asked Vern Jones, Director of Community Services - to remind us of how important the State Certification of the City's Housing Element is to the city.
Vern Jones, Community Services Director responded this letter is the State's acknowledgement that the City's Housing Element does meet all the requirements of the State's Law. Before, the City was Self Certified. Certification from the State brings with it the assumption of validity for all the projects that go forward in the city.
* Editors Note - From the 12/22/08 City's General Plan Update - Bruce Channing, Laguna Hills City Manager stated there is a legal presumption that a housing element is valid if a city has a CHE from the State and the other choice is Self Certification which is subject to challenge. He said Public Interest Law Firms will often challenge non-conforming cities just to collect fees. This has happened all up and down the State so the city council needs to weigh the risk/benefit here. Council Member Allan Songstad (who was Mayor at this time) asked for further information about the risks of self certification and noted that Self Certification is what this city has been doing for 17 years now.
Vote was 4-0 in favor of sending the 2009 General Plan Annual Report to the State. (Council Member Craig Scott was Absent from the voting)
PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
COMMENTS - NONE
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Council Member Craig Scott arrived at 7:20 PM % voted on the rest of the Agenda items.
Item 6.2 B - Selection of Consultant Services for widening of La Paz Rd at I-5.
Staff Recommendation - Approve the selection of Athalye Consulting Engineering Services, Inc. for the widening of La Paz Rd at I-5.
Vote - passed 5 - 0
Item 6.2 A - Award of Contract for the Traffic Light Synchronization Project on La Paz Rd. and Traffic Signal Placement at La Paz and Appaloosa Place to Steiny and Company, Inc.
Staff Recommendation - Award contract of the traffic Signal Synch. project and the La Paz at Appaloosa Place Traffic Signal to the low bidder Steiny and Company, Inc. The city report states that the cost of the citizen contested La Paz at Appaloosa traffic signal is $95,934.00 so if this traffic signal is deleted from the bid the total price for the remaining work on the Alicia Pkwy. and la Paz Rd. Traffic Signal Synchronization projects would be reduced to $191,211. The total construction cost of the is project including the construction bid direct equipment purchases and inspection services is estimated to total $610,000.
Discussion:
Council Member Joel Lautenschleger asked if the money given from Lyons Homes ($40,000) can be used elsewhere or for infrastructure in preparation for a traffic light at the Appaloosa and La Paz intersection in the future, if the traffic light is eliminated from this project or will those funds need to be returned and what is the estimate for the increase in traffic in the future for La Paz Rd. ?
Council Member Melody Carruth asked, Can we ask the Lyons Company if they will allow the $40,000 for other traffic measures in the community and can we re-stripe La Paz for a Left Turn Pocket and why were citizens in the area not notified of the traffic light?
Council Member Allan Songstad asked for the City Engineer's comments of yes or no to the traffic signal at the intersection of Appaloosa and La Paz.
Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer stated the estimate is for the traffic on La Paz, as an arterial road between communities, to increase about 2% per year and the traffic on Appaloosa should be stable. 4 locations in the city meet at least one of the warrants from the State for the installation of a Traffic Signal but signals aren't required. 5 or more accidents are needed in a 3 year period to mandate a traffic signal. The Interruption of Continuous Traffic Warrant was the only standard that was met at the La Paz/Appaloosa intersection. The collision history there is favorable. The Appaloosa traffic volume meets 65% of the standard and the La Paz traffic volume meets 100% of the standard. The Synchronization Program of the traffic lights will work during peak traffic hours not all the time on this project. Regarding notification to residents, this category is exempt because no residences front on La Paz Rd. The city can send notices, as a courtesy, for the construction phase of the project.
Greg Simonian, City Attorney said the $40,000 from the Lyons' Company has specific mitigation procedures and controls under State Law. Funds need to be used within 5 years or returned and are limited to use by the original Conditions of Approval, but the Lyons' Company can be asked if they are willing to donate those funds.
Comments: About the Traffic Signal at Appaloosa and La Paz
Barbara Kogerman, City Council Candidate for 2010 stated she appreciated Council Member Carruth's question about notification to residents because this project goes back 17 years to 1993 and she wondered why people didn't know about this. She added that while there is apparently no legal requirement that people be notified in this situation, it would have been a courtesy to notify people in the community who would be affected by this change so they would not feel that they were blind sided.
Rebecca Zomorodian, Laguna Hills Resident stated that a member of the residents in the area spoke to a representative from Lyons Homes and wanted to let the council know that their information from the representative was that the money given to the city by that company was for traffic abatement and flow and he was under the impression that the Condition of Approval for the stop light was a choice of the city council, rather than a specification from Lyons Homes. The intent was not to contribute specifically for a light but for traffic flow, so don't see a huge problem related to Lyons being generous and giving that money, and if the council needs any help there are plenty people willing to help. She added a thank you to Council Member Carruth for suggesting a refuge lane on La Paz. She added that increasing the pocket for the left turn from La Paz onto Appaloosa may be a good idea as well. She noted that there are a variety of locations in the city that really need a stop light much more than the community at Appaloosa does and she understood that they may not be included in this project but on Moulton and Gordon families are dying for a stop light. She advised the council that if they look at the report they were given they would see that the Gordon & Moulton intersection rates higher than Appaloosa & La Paz in many ways. She added that this is second hand information but some of the residents of the Gordon & Moulton area said they had been to the city council and asked for a traffic light but were turned down. There was also traffic fatality at that intersection. Rebecca said she would rather see a traffic light at a site like that where it was really needed. In response to the council's question about impatient drivers she noted that there could be impatient drivers not just on La Paz but those backed up on Appaloosa who have said they will not wait there but go up Gallup and down and around and come out that way. She offered that she and others were willing to be a part of the solution rather than just requesting this change.
Council Member Craig Scott added that he favors removing the Appaloosa traffic signal from the project because he studied the issue further and from his own personal experience every day he uses Gallup to exit onto La Paz and at any time of day it doesn't take more than 20 - 30 seconds to wait for his opportunity to get out onto La Paz. He added he thinks it would be unfortunate to breakup the free flow of traffic on La Paz with more signals.
Council Member Melody Carruth moved to delete the traffic signal on Appaloosa from the rest of the project.
Mayor Randal Bressette added that there are very substantial fiscal savings to remove a signal that is at best questionably needed.
Council Member Joel Lautenschleger said he would like to see the city lay the infrastructure in that area now for a traffic light so it would be there just in case a light may be needed at some point in the future.
Council Member Melody Carruth objected to laying the infrastructure for a traffic light at the Appaloosa and La Paz intersection now saying that would fly in the face of all they have accomplished here tonight in this democratic process.
Council Member Allan Songstad said he has been on the council for awhile and does not remember anyone coming forward with a request for a signal at Gordon. * see editor's note below
Mayor Randal Bressette stated, for the record, the council spent a great deal of time on Moulton and Gordon with the community, with all of the parking issues, with the ingress and egress, and came up with what we believed was a satisfactory condition for the residents. There is an open door policy with that Homeowner's Association which includes the possibility of a signal as well as all the parking on the street.
** Editor's Note - the Laguna Hills Watch Dog, contacted several residents of the Moulton and Gordon Community and were told that they did ask the Laguna Hills City Council for a traffic light at the intersection of Moulton Pkwy. and Gordon, did experience a fatal collision at that intersection and were denied a traffic light at the time they asked. To go South on Moulton those residents make a left turn from Gordon onto the very heavily traveled Moulton Pkwy. without a signal.
Vote - Passed 5 - 0 to Synchronize the traffic lights without installation of a traffic Signal at Appaloosa and La Paz.
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Melody Carruth said for those who wish to learn more about the World War 2 history of the 3/5 Marine Division adopted by the city watch the HBO 10 part series entitled "The Pacific" on Sunday Nights. There are specific examples of what the 3/5 did to hold on to Guadalcanal and the I-5 freeway exit going South - Basilone Rd. is named after John Basilone, the Marine hero who won the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Mayor Randal Bressette reported on serving as the Principal of the Day at Valencia Elem. School. He said he learned that "Build a Fort" is the most popular activity among 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. He noted that the city had voted to change a bus stop zone to a drop off zone at the school but had not repainted the curb the correct color, so he called the City Engineer from the school and the curb was re-painted that day. He also wanted people to know that the city can't move in and give money to help the school district in these times, will do what they can. He said the city has a strong partnership with our schools especially in the recreation program.
CLOSED SESSION - NONE
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Laguna Hills Crime Watch
Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by
Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -
Question - Regarding the traffic signal light controversy about the La Paz Road project that includes the addition of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Appaloosa and La Paz. Why was this planned before the neighbors were notified? Don't citizens have a right to be notified of planned projects like this that directly affect their neighborhoods? Valerie Bromberg
Answer - Editor's Note - At the 3/23/10 Laguna Hills City Council meeting, in response to a question by Council Member Melody Carruth, we were all informed by City Engineer Ken Rosenfield that traffic signals are a separate category related to informing residents. Because none of the residences fronted on La Paz Rd. the residents were exempt from notification of the traffic signal. Apparently the city can choose to notify residents but is not required, in this instance, to do so.
Question - In "City Views" Newsletter - Under The Foundations of Our Success - A Reasonable and Sustainable Compensation Program- "To that end, the Council has long supported paying salaries that are slightly better than the County average and providing comparable benefits." (Slightly better is not defined?) Valerie Bromberg
Answer - Editor's Note - From the City Council Policy #105 Financial Policies Biennial Budget FY 2009/10 - 2010/11, The city will strive to maintain a highly competitive salary and benefits program which sets the top step of salary ranges at 5% above the County Average for each comparable position. The city manager will annually conduct a market survey of similar positions in Orange County and recommend to the city council salary adjustments in keeping with this policy. Also Resolution # 2009-06-23-2 adopted on 6/23/09 states: "The City Manager, at his discretion, may grant up to a 5% salary adjustment for meritorious performance to any employee who had reached the top pay range in his or her position. The City Manager, at his discretion, may grant up to a 5% increase in salary and cost of living adjustments effective 2010." There is NO clause in the Resolution stating raises given by the city manager require city council approval. Craig Scott, Joel Lautenschleger and Allan Songstad voted for this to be left to the sole discretion of city manager. Melody Carruth and Randal Bressette voted against it because they wanted council approval for any and all raises for staff. ** If citizens look at the city web site's online Minutes for this 6-23-09 city council meeting they will NOT be able to determine what happened with this issue because the Minutes do not make clear what the vote was for the simply refer to one resolution being rescinded and another resolution being adopted. This is a prime example of lack of transparency.
Editor's Note re. the March 16 Dedication of the new PUBLIC (?) ART MURALS -
An event was held on Tuesday, March 16 at 6 pm at the Laguna Hills Civic Center for the Dedication of the 3 large Public Art Historical Murals on the walls of the city council chambers. About 80 people attended, including local artists, city council members, city staff, people from the two citizens committees and most of the people associated with the project including the Muralist, Robert Evans, who traveled from Boston. Two large flys in the city's paint bucket for these murals were:
1. Most Laguna Hills citizens were not aware of the date of this event. We saw no advertising of the date for this event in City Views or in the news, so unless citizens noticed it listed in one line on the face of the city web site they would not know about it.
2. The City Council apparently failed to grasp the "Public" part of the concept of "Public Art". These 3 huge and very beautiful Public Art Murals cover 3 walls inside the council chambers. However, the Council Chambers are locked and not accessible to the public most of the time. We asked for a date that this art would be open to the Public and were told they are still working on that related to logistical problems with equipment, but citizens can ask for an escort with a key to view the murals. At the 2-9-10 City Council Meeting, Council Member Songstad expressed concern about the security of the paintings if exposed to the public.
At the 3/23/10 city council meeting there was a sign on the council chamber doors stating - Public Access Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm, check with city's receptionist for access to murals. This is a litte progress, but come on, the Muralist told us that these works took 2 1/2 years to complete so if making this art "Public" was important to the city council shouldn't some of that time been spent considering how and where to place these murals to ensure that they would be "Public" Art? Even when citizens attend a city council meeting they are seated with their backs to the murals, only the council members get to look directly at the Public Art. There is a barrier in the council chambers that pulls down from the ceiling to separate the dais from the rest of the chambers, where the art is located, but a significant amount of furniture has to be moved to let that barrier down and then replaced for city council meetings and other functions, so it would appear that minimal forethought was given to the "Public" piece of this equation. If not exposed to the public, Public Art becomes Private Art. There is a Public Art Fund that reportedly contains money from developers at times when they do business in Laguna Hills, however at the 2-9-10 council meeting we were told - "As of June 30,2009 the Public Art Fund owed the General Fund $162, 813.00." But, no matter how it is paid for it is labeled by the city as "Public Art" so shouldn't it actually be public?
Enzie Shahmiri, Renowned Portrait Artist and Laguna Hills Resident spoke at the Presentation of the Public Art Murals on Tues 10-16 and said that Historic Murals invite people to step up closer and become involved with what the world was like at the time. She addressed the subject of "Why Pay for Public Art' with a very moving personal story of living in West Berlin in the time of the Berlin Wall and experiencing a dark world of empty parks and unadorned spaces and buildings while visiting East Berlin. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, as art emerged in buildings and parks and the city of East Berlin came back to life so did the sense of pride in the people. She said people absorb the message of art unconsciously.
Harry Reese, Professor and Associate Dean College of Creative Studies, UCSB stressed that an essential feature of Public Art is "Accessibility to All" and that historic art asks the viewers, who they are, how they came here and what they will do in the future. Robert Evans, the Muralist, spoke but stressed that he hoped his murals would speak for themselves. We hope the murals will get the opportunity to speak to the "Public"!
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by
the City of Laguna Hills - We get this question a lot but don't have an answer??
Editor's Note- On Aug. 25, 2009 in a LHCC Meeting - Council Member Craig Scott stated there was an article in the Register within the last week where it was reported that the city was trying to reconstitute the 3/5 Support Committee. He said the council has taken a very clear position that there will be no official city support by this council for the 3/5 Committee. He went on to say he did not favor her (referring to Council Member Melody Carruth) taking the action that has been suggested and the city should remember that they have drawn a very clear line that the city will not sponsor, or devote assets or give resources of the staff's time and energy to efforts that ought to be coming from the committee, if at all. He insisted that the committee can do what it wants to do but the city ought to be in a hands off position from an official city standpoint. That Committee is now reportedly gone. Doesn't the city that adopted a Marine Division have a duty to support them in some way or why did the City of Laguna Hills adopt them? Many other cities have done a great job of this why not this one?
OC Register News Stories and blogs
Laguna Hills term limits proposal kicks off
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-232184-council-hills.html
City manager who got car now gets performance bonus
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-223526-bonus-manager.html
City Manager Benefits top $170,000 November 06, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-channing-car-2635479-year-hills
Laguna Hills buys its city manager a $60,000 car - in Tustin
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/30/laguna-hills-buys-its-city-manager-a-60000-car-in-tustin/41479/
It's the Health Insurance, Stupid
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/its-the-health-insurance-stupid/42089/
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/full-benefits-for-part-time-elected-officials-are-reasonable-mayor-says/42213/
Laguna Hills City manager gets $23,000 bonus over objections
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city
Laguna Hills City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public
Feb. 1, 2010 - Laguna Hills Mayor Pro-Tem. Craig Scott commented on KOCE TV that Term Limits are undemocratic and shift power to Career Bureaucrats, campaign consultants and those who have other than our best interests at heart.
Mr. Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Craig Scott has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member without a break for 19 years so far and is expected to run again in 2010. So, by definition he is already a Career Bureaucrat and he achieved that without Term Limits!
Dec. 4, 2008 - LHCC Member - Craig Scott stated ".... based on what is recited here I think it is fair comment to say that Nellie Gail was not remarkable. "We did some research on this issue and if that's the best we can do, a school teacher, 2 daughters and ran the ranch until turning it over to her children, I submit that's not necessarily remarkable."
Really, Mr. Scott, would you say you are a "remarkable" city council member and how would you define that? ***Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) who was born in Irving, KS on Dec. 8, 1878. Nellie Gail spent her childhood in Nebraska and came to California with her family in 1893. Upon receiving her teaching credentials, she taught school in the state of Washington near Seattle at the turn of the century. On one of her summer trips to visit her family in southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. The couple settled on a ranch of 22,000 acres. When her husband died she ran the 22,000 acre ranch while raising 2 daughters. She was also a school teacher, and an artist. Most of her paintings appear to have been done in and around Laguna Beach. Nellie Gail Ranch, in Laguna Hills, is named for her. Be sure to see the exhibit of her Remarkable life at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - LHCC Member - 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 Mr. Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking us" with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 18 years.
On May 27, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated, "I am on the toll road every day and I don't want the tolls to go down, I want them to stay where they are or go higher and I'm ready to pay that price and I'd prefer NOT to have others do the same."
Are there any volunteers willing to support a resolution proclaiming that the 73 Toll Road be set aside for the Exclusive Use of Laguna Hills City Council Member Craig Scott until such time that this pesky congestion problem caused by less entitled people, like the rest of us, is brought under control? OR - maybe people would like to e-mail Mr. Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us to encourage him to broaden his perspective. He has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member for 18 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.
Reminders & Letters to the Editor
To write letters to the editor of the Orange county register newspaper: letters@ocregister.com Please provide your name 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.
You can contact all of the Laguna Hills City Council Members at:
ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Laguna Hills Watch Dog
March 3, 2010 - Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present
** Special Announcements - For Laguna Hills City Council Term Limits Petitions Contact Barbara Kogerman at www.kogerman4council.com or Jean Bland at BlandMJ@AOL.com to sign and/or circulate.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – None
PUBLIC COMMENTS -
Dr. Debra Ferber from the Orange County Fairgrounds Preservation Society, thanked the City Council for their letter to the Governor of CA. supporting the County and the City of Costa Mesa in opposing the sale of the Fairgrounds by the State. She stated that the Fairgrounds contributes over $185 million throughout the local economy here in Orange County and 5000 small business owners could be shut down as a result of this sale. The facility was put on the auction block with an estimated worth of about $180 million but the high bid at the auction was only $56.5 million. The Orange County Supervisors and the City of Costa Mesa are reportedly trying now to propose a package to purchase the Fairgrounds.
* Editors Note On 1-12-2010 Councilmember Melody Carruth asked the City Council to support the County and the City of Costa Mesa in opposing the sale of the Fairgrounds by the State of CA. with a letter to the Governor. 3 of the city council members were in favor, only Councilmember Craig Scott was against it, saying he would vote to receive and file or vote against the resolution. Vote was 4 - 1 in favor of sending a letter to the Governor supporting the County and the City of Costa Mesa. The NO Vote was Craig Scott.
Public Opposition to Installation of Traffic Light at Appaloosa and La Paz, 5 citizens spoke and the group handed in numerous signed petitions against installation of the traffic light at Appaloosa and La Paz.
Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer stated that this light is part of a traffic synchronization project for the entire length of La Paz Rd. within the city. The traffic signal at this intersection was included as a condition of approval of the William Lyons' tract and has been listed in the city's master plan since 1993 as a potential signal location. Last reviewed, in a 2007 Master Plan review update, this location was one of 4 locations that was described as meeting the state standards/warrants for installation of a traffic signal. It is more cost effective to install this traffic signal as part of a larger project than as a stand alone signal. It meets at least a minimum standard and funds of about $40,000 were received for this purpose from the William Lyons Company years ago. The bid results for this project, that include this light, should be in on Thursday and this issue should be revisited at the March 23, City Council meeting.
Greg Robeson, Laguna Hills Citizen from Nellie Gail Rd. said he was taken by surprise by this announcement of installation of the traffic light. He said that in reviewing the State's Warrants Rating System he doesn't see justification for this and feels it could make things worse for the community. Greg said he rides a bicycle and has no trouble getting across traffic at that intersection, there are no pedestrians using the intersection, there is a very low accident rate, and no schools, churches or parks are in this area. He concluded that this $40,000 could be better spent in other areas.
Pam Klister, Laguna Hills Citizen from Mustang Dr. said she was missing a School Board Meeting tonight to be here and believes this signal would have a negative impact on the quality of life in the community, on privacy and the value of homes. She said she received a copy of the City's Master Plan from Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer, and read it. She then spoke to the Nellie Gail HOA board about this, and they knew nothing about it and were shocked. She also found that neighbors knew nothing about it. She contacted the Wm. Lyons Company and confirmed that $40,000 had been given to the city to ease the possible traffic flow problems when the Altamira Homes were built and it was up the City Council to decide how that was used. At peak times this traffic light could result in traffic backing up causing congestion into Mustang. She suggested that rather than spend money on a traffic signal spend it on slow and stop signs inside the community to mitigate the impact of the heavy traffic there.
Mike Klister, Laguna Hills Citizen from Mustang Dr. added more traffic leads to more pollution and loss of home values. The speed limit in this area is 50 mph but in the Master Plan it is stated as 45 mph. The City of Mission Viejo is currently lowering speed limits from 50 mph to 45 mph to decrease the danger in some areas. This area is residential not commercial. There is a high probability that real estate values would be devalued in the area due to an increase in noise levels particularly at night and early morning hours. He read part of a letter from a resident whose property backs up to Oso Pkwy. and told of the problems with the noise at that intersection. He noted that the stop and go of traffic at an intersection is much louder than the smooth flow of traffic. There has been only one injury accident in 3 years at the Appaloosa & La Paz intersection. He concluded that it is more effective and productive to put traffic lights at cross street intersections rather than T streets. This is a waste of resources.
Meg Roa, Laguna Hills Citizen from Stageline Dr. said she was here in support of her neighbors and friends and had communicated with several Realtors who advised her that the desirability of homes located in the area of this signal would decrease due to the increase in noise from traffic near an area with a traffic light in the intersection.
Rebecca Zomorodian, Laguna Hills Citizen from Mustang Dr. said she had cancer
5 years ago so this issue is personal for her. Studies show that idling cars will actually increase in the neighborhood due to the traffic light. Studies have shown repeatedly that air quality is lowered when a light is installed, and lung capacity decreases 1.8% a year due to the stopping and starting up of cars. She also noted that many residents have expressed that more stop lights will cause more delays in driving so they don't want any more stop lights. She said residents also suggested that the money from Lyon Homes should be used for traffic abatement within the community of Nellie Gail. She noted that La Paz is pretty much built out so traffic should not be increasing significantly in that area as it is mostly local traffic not commercial.
Mayor Randal Bressette thanked the citizens for their input and explained that this issue cannot be discussed at this meeting because it is not on the agenda but can be agendized and discussed on March 23, 2010.
Councilmember Melody Carruth asked the City Engineer if this area of the street could be restriped for a left turn pocket. Councilmember Joel Lautenschleger asked the City Engineer if it is permissible for the $40,000 from the William Lyons Company to be used in other areas.
Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer, responded that he would look into these questions but does not anticipate a level of detail in the report for March 23 that would include restriping of the road for a left turn pocket.
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT - by Jason Brower - 4 LHHS students were inducted into the OC Hall of Fame, Joey Bonutto, Drew Corley, Matt Martindale and Jeffrey Mc Craney for their performance on the field as well as in the classroom. They received the title of Scholar Athlete. Monday morning was the conclusion of the school's extracurricular MUN (Model United Nations) Program which is a 3 day conference over Friday, Saturday and Sunday during which Jason and 16 other members of the MUN Club traveled to UC Berkeley to compete in a debate with 1600 other students from around the nation as well as Canada and possibly one from Mexico. LHHS took home 2 research awards 2 students (including Jason) took home outstanding awards and 2 other students took home commendations. Mayor Bressette and Councilmember Melody Carruth congratulated Jason and LHHS on the extraordinary accomplishments of the class that will graduate in June. Jason noted that Joey Bonutto, Drew Corley and Jeff McCraney are all in the MUN program as well as being Scholar Athletes.
CONSENT CALENDAR *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
The Warrant Register = $503,487.51
Postage for 1/2 Marathon and 5K Event - $1,764.21 + Event Promotional Services for 1/2 Marathon and 5K Event paid to Competitor SC - $800.00
*Editor's note - This event loses money for the city and the city never seems to be able to figure out how many Laguna Hills residents actually participate in this 13.1 mile run. Saddleback Hospital stopped sponsoring the event in 2008 because it lost money. From the 2/23/10 Warrant Register - we see additional fees for the event for 2010 totaling $16,357.25 - K F Studios - $1,357.25 Event Promotional Services 1/2 Marathon & 5K Event May, 2009 Renegade Racing - $15,000.00 for Event mgmt. Services to 1/2 marathon & 5K Event May, 2010. Published total expenses this year = $18,921.46 so far.
ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - None, Consent Calendar Passed 5-0.
PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEAINGS - NONE
Comments - Mike Klister, Laguna Hills Citizen from Mustang Dr. added to his previous comments that he spent a lot of time going through the Traffic Signal Master Plan update and noted 2 additional important items: on p.13 a notation states that the 2007 case results show that none of the candidate intersections are warranted via their accident experience and a warning on p.8 states should a signal be unjustified or poorly maintained one or more of the following may result, increased accident frequency, excess delay, driver frustration, disregard of signal indications, and circuitous travel by alternate routes.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS -
Item 6.1 - Request to prepare Letter from City of Laguna Hills to SCAG (Southern CA. Association of Governments) informing them of the city's disagreement with their recommendations for land use and suggesting that SCAG cease further efforts to propose reform of the way local governments are financed.
The Laguna Hills Staff Report states - the foundation for this letter to SCAG is reportedly a belief that local governments have become overly dependent upon existing sales tax revenue or perversely focused on generating new sales tax revenues to support their local programs and services. "As a consequence, local agencies are presumed to be making undesirable and/or illogical land use decisions that are, in turn, creating traffic congestion on our freeways, air pollution, unaffordable residential home prices and multiple other negative impacts on the environment." **See the full staff report on the City of Laguna Hills web site under Agenda's and Minutes for 3-9-10 Item 6.1
City Manager Bruce Channing recommended from his experience that this letter be sent. Mayor Bressette stated that he received a letter form the City of Lake Forest that they are sending a similar letter. VOTE - This item passed 5 - 0
Item 6.2 - Request for Community Assistance Funding for the 2010 Project 999 Memorial Ride - Request for a donation of $1,000 to the Project 999 Fund that provides assistance to families of Orange County Peace Officers who are injured or killed in the line of duty.
Staff Recommendation - Authorize the funding.
Chief Steve Doan spoke on this, at times with some difficulty, explaining that the Project 999 fund was formed in 1979 for the purpose of supporting OC Law Enforcement, particularly raising funds to assist officers killed or injured in the line of duty in OC. The Project 999 Memorial Ride is the major fund raiser that began in 2000 and has raised and contributed more than one million dollars to assist peace officers and their families. Each May, OC law enforcement officers participate in a 5 day, 630 mile bicycle ride, on their own time, from the Peace Officer Memorial in the State Capital to the OC County Peace Officer Memorial in Santa Ana. They each ride in the name of a fallen officer. Laguna Hills Police Services Sgt. Stewart Rawlings is riding for the second year in honor of Deputy Steve Parsons, killed in the line of duty while serving in the City of Laguna Hills. Another deputy Christina Brown is riding for the first time in the name of Deputy Brad Richards who was murdered, in Lake Forest in 2000. Councilmember Carruth added that 100% of the funds raised go directly to support the Peace Officers and their families.
**Editor's note - **Deputy Steve Parsons died at the age of 36 on June 24, 2000 as a result of a traffic collusion in Laguna Hills while on motorcycle patrol. See a brief bio. of Deputy Parsons and his accomplishments at: http://www.ocsd.org/about_ocsd/fallen_officers/stevenparsons/
VOTE - This Item passed 5 - 0
Comments: None
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Melody Carruth said it appeared the Saddleback Valley Unified School District Trustees would resolve the optional attendance area (generally OSO toward La Paz) that for years has been a problem for Laguna Hills High School. There are a number of LHHS parents at that board meeting who are going to ask that this issue be brought up again. If the boundary stays where it is Laguna Hills could lose 40 - 50 kids and that means loss of faculty and classes as well.
Mayor Bressette stated he has the privilege of being Principal for the Day at Valencia Elem. School tomorrow. He also noted that he and Councilmember Carruth attended the 1940s USO dance which was wonderfully successful and Mayor Randy had the opportunity of throwing the first pitch at the Little League Opening Day on Saturday.
Councilmember Joel Lautenschleger asked us all to sign his petition from the California League of Cities " to Protect Local Taxpayers and Funding for Public Safety, Transportation & Other Vital Local Services from State Raids." ** Editors Note - Much more "local" is the question - Who is protecting the Laguna Hills Taxpayers from the Laguna Hills City Council who is giving nearly $ one million a year to the top 3 positions in City Management, City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Deputy City Manager for managing a permanent staff of only 27 including themselves in a city of only about 34,000 residents? The City Manager and is paid approx. $400,000 a year in salary and benefits plus in 2009 the City Council gave him a $60,000 car and a $23,000+ bonus while they eliminated 2 Sheriffs Deputy Positions for the people. The only councilmember who has formally protested the City Manager's benefits was Melody Carruth. Randal Bressette later stated that if he had it to do over again he would not have voted for the City Manager's bonus for 2009 and both Randy and Melody protested the elimination of the 2 deputy Sheriff's positions. Scott, Lautenschleger, and Songstad have consistently supported the City Manager's salary, benefits and bonuses and both Craig Scott and Joel Lautenschleger have been instrumental in awarding them to the City Manager. On 12-8-09 Joel pointed to this last year as "the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression" but as the negotiator for the city manager's salary and benefits still awarded the city manager a $23,000+ bonus. We asked Joel to sign our petition for Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council Members and he declined saying he didn't believe in it.
CLOSED SESSION - NONE
====================================
Laguna Hills Crime Watch
Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=LagunaHills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by
Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -
Question - Why doesn't the Laguna Hills City Manager live in Laguna Hills, so maybe he would care more about the citizens and the way the city is run?
** This is a question we have received from many Laguna Hills Citizens following the information published in the Newspapers and in the LH Watch Dog related to - The Laguna Hills City Manager got a $60,000 car & $23,000+bonus in 2009 paid for by the taxpayers. He got another $23,000+ bonus this year. He receives salary + benefits of $400,000+ annually to manage a full time staff of 27 in a city of about 34,000, while last year the city eliminated 2 Sheriff's deputy positions to "save money".
Answer - There is no requirement for a City Manager to live in the city he manages. As far as we know Bruce Channing, the City Manager for Laguna Hills, still lives in Yorba Linda. If a city manager did live in the city he or she manages priorities would not necessarily change. The City Manager is accountable to the City Council Members, not to the citizens. The City Manager actually runs the city but needs only 3 City Council Members to consistently support what he does and what his salary and benefits are. He follows their dictates for running the city. In a city like Laguna Hills where most of the city council members remain the same for almost 20 years and the city manager is so well rewarded for managing such a small city there is no incentive for change. The City Council Members are accountable to the citizens so be sure to hold them accountable when you vote.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills - We don't know??
OC Register News Stories and blogs
Laguna Hills term limits proposal kicks off
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-232184-council-hills.html
City manager who got car now gets performance bonus http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-223526-bonus-manager.html
City Manager Benefits top $170,000 November 06, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-channing-car-2635479-year-hills
Laguna Hills buys its city manager a $60,000 car - in Tustin
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/30/laguna-hills-buys-its-city-manager-a-60000-car-in-tustin/41479/
It's the Health Insurance, Stupid
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/its-the-health-insurance-stupid/42089/
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/full-benefits-for-part-time-elected-officials-are-reasonable-mayor-says/42213/
Laguna Hills City manager gets $23,000 bonus over objections
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city
Laguna Hills City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public
Feb. 1, 2010 - Laguna Hills Mayor Pro-Tem. Craig Scott commented on KOCE TV that Term Limits are undemocratic and shift power to Career Bureaucrats, campaign consultants and those who have other than our best interests at heart.
Mr. Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Craig Scott has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member without a break for 19 years so far and is expected to run again in 2010. So, by definition he is already a Career Bureaucrat and he achieved that without Term Limits!
Dec. 4, 2008 - LHCC Member - Craig Scott stated ".... based on what is recited here I think it is fair comment to say that Nellie Gail was not remarkable. "We did some research on this issue and if that's the best we can do, a school teacher, 2 daughters and ran the ranch until turning it over to her children, I submit that's not necessarily remarkable."
Really, Mr. Scott, would you say you are a "remarkable" city council member and how would you define that? ***Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) who was born in Irving, KS on Dec. 8, 1878. Nellie Gail spent her childhood in Nebraska and came to California with her family in 1893. Upon receiving her teaching credentials, she taught school in the state of Washington near Seattle at the turn of the century. On one of her summer trips to visit her family in southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. The couple settled on a ranch of 22,000 acres. When her husband died she ran the 22,000 acre ranch while raising 2 daughters. She was also a school teacher, and an artist. Most of her paintings appear to have been done in and around Laguna Beach. Nellie Gail Ranch, in Laguna Hills, is named for her. Be sure to see the exhibit of her Remarkable life at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - LHCC Member - 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 Mr. Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking us" with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 18 years.
On May 27, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated, "I am on the toll road every day and I don't want the tolls to go down, I want them to stay where they are or go higher and I'm ready to pay that price and I'd prefer NOT to have others do the same."
Are there any volunteers willing to support a resolution proclaiming that the 73 Toll Road be set aside for the Exclusive Use of Laguna Hills City Council Member Craig Scott until such time that this pesky congestion problem caused by less entitled people, like the rest of us, is brought under control? OR - maybe people would like to e-mail Mr. Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us to encourage him to broaden his perspective. He has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member for 18 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.
Reminders & Letters to the Editor
To write letters to the editor of the Orange County Register Newspaper: letters@ocregister.com Please provide your name 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.
You can contact all of the Laguna Hills City Council Members at:
ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614
March 3, 2010 - Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present
** Special Announcements - For Laguna Hills City Council Term Limits Petitions Contact Barbara Kogerman at www.kogerman4council.com or Jean Bland at BlandMJ@AOL.com to sign and/or circulate.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – None
PUBLIC COMMENTS -
Dr. Debra Ferber from the Orange County Fairgrounds Preservation Society, thanked the City Council for their letter to the Governor of CA. supporting the County and the City of Costa Mesa in opposing the sale of the Fairgrounds by the State. She stated that the Fairgrounds contributes over $185 million throughout the local economy here in Orange County and 5000 small business owners could be shut down as a result of this sale. The facility was put on the auction block with an estimated worth of about $180 million but the high bid at the auction was only $56.5 million. The Orange County Supervisors and the City of Costa Mesa are reportedly trying now to propose a package to purchase the Fairgrounds.
* Editors Note On 1-12-2010 Councilmember Melody Carruth asked the City Council to support the County and the City of Costa Mesa in opposing the sale of the Fairgrounds by the State of CA. with a letter to the Governor. 3 of the city council members were in favor, only Councilmember Craig Scott was against it, saying he would vote to receive and file or vote against the resolution. Vote was 4 - 1 in favor of sending a letter to the Governor supporting the County and the City of Costa Mesa. The NO Vote was Craig Scott.
Public Opposition to Installation of Traffic Light at Appaloosa and La Paz, 5 citizens spoke and the group handed in numerous signed petitions against installation of the traffic light at Appaloosa and La Paz.
Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer stated that this light is part of a traffic synchronization project for the entire length of La Paz Rd. within the city. The traffic signal at this intersection was included as a condition of approval of the William Lyons' tract and has been listed in the city's master plan since 1993 as a potential signal location. Last reviewed, in a 2007 Master Plan review update, this location was one of 4 locations that was described as meeting the state standards/warrants for installation of a traffic signal. It is more cost effective to install this traffic signal as part of a larger project than as a stand alone signal. It meets at least a minimum standard and funds of about $40,000 were received for this purpose from the William Lyons Company years ago. The bid results for this project, that include this light, should be in on Thursday and this issue should be revisited at the March 23, City Council meeting.
Greg Robeson, Laguna Hills Citizen from Nellie Gail Rd. said he was taken by surprise by this announcement of installation of the traffic light. He said that in reviewing the State's Warrants Rating System he doesn't see justification for this and feels it could make things worse for the community. Greg said he rides a bicycle and has no trouble getting across traffic at that intersection, there are no pedestrians using the intersection, there is a very low accident rate, and no schools, churches or parks are in this area. He concluded that this $40,000 could be better spent in other areas.
Pam Klister, Laguna Hills Citizen from Mustang Dr. said she was missing a School Board Meeting tonight to be here and believes this signal would have a negative impact on the quality of life in the community, on privacy and the value of homes. She said she received a copy of the City's Master Plan from Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer, and read it. She then spoke to the Nellie Gail HOA board about this, and they knew nothing about it and were shocked. She also found that neighbors knew nothing about it. She contacted the Wm. Lyons Company and confirmed that $40,000 had been given to the city to ease the possible traffic flow problems when the Altamira Homes were built and it was up the City Council to decide how that was used. At peak times this traffic light could result in traffic backing up causing congestion into Mustang. She suggested that rather than spend money on a traffic signal spend it on slow and stop signs inside the community to mitigate the impact of the heavy traffic there.
Mike Klister, Laguna Hills Citizen from Mustang Dr. added more traffic leads to more pollution and loss of home values. The speed limit in this area is 50 mph but in the Master Plan it is stated as 45 mph. The City of Mission Viejo is currently lowering speed limits from 50 mph to 45 mph to decrease the danger in some areas. This area is residential not commercial. There is a high probability that real estate values would be devalued in the area due to an increase in noise levels particularly at night and early morning hours. He read part of a letter from a resident whose property backs up to Oso Pkwy. and told of the problems with the noise at that intersection. He noted that the stop and go of traffic at an intersection is much louder than the smooth flow of traffic. There has been only one injury accident in 3 years at the Appaloosa & La Paz intersection. He concluded that it is more effective and productive to put traffic lights at cross street intersections rather than T streets. This is a waste of resources.
Meg Roa, Laguna Hills Citizen from Stageline Dr. said she was here in support of her neighbors and friends and had communicated with several Realtors who advised her that the desirability of homes located in the area of this signal would decrease due to the increase in noise from traffic near an area with a traffic light in the intersection.
Rebecca Zomorodian, Laguna Hills Citizen from Mustang Dr. said she had cancer
5 years ago so this issue is personal for her. Studies show that idling cars will actually increase in the neighborhood due to the traffic light. Studies have shown repeatedly that air quality is lowered when a light is installed, and lung capacity decreases 1.8% a year due to the stopping and starting up of cars. She also noted that many residents have expressed that more stop lights will cause more delays in driving so they don't want any more stop lights. She said residents also suggested that the money from Lyon Homes should be used for traffic abatement within the community of Nellie Gail. She noted that La Paz is pretty much built out so traffic should not be increasing significantly in that area as it is mostly local traffic not commercial.
Mayor Randal Bressette thanked the citizens for their input and explained that this issue cannot be discussed at this meeting because it is not on the agenda but can be agendized and discussed on March 23, 2010.
Councilmember Melody Carruth asked the City Engineer if this area of the street could be restriped for a left turn pocket. Councilmember Joel Lautenschleger asked the City Engineer if it is permissible for the $40,000 from the William Lyons Company to be used in other areas.
Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer, responded that he would look into these questions but does not anticipate a level of detail in the report for March 23 that would include restriping of the road for a left turn pocket.
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT - by Jason Brower - 4 LHHS students were inducted into the OC Hall of Fame, Joey Bonutto, Drew Corley, Matt Martindale and Jeffrey Mc Craney for their performance on the field as well as in the classroom. They received the title of Scholar Athlete. Monday morning was the conclusion of the school's extracurricular MUN (Model United Nations) Program which is a 3 day conference over Friday, Saturday and Sunday during which Jason and 16 other members of the MUN Club traveled to UC Berkeley to compete in a debate with 1600 other students from around the nation as well as Canada and possibly one from Mexico. LHHS took home 2 research awards 2 students (including Jason) took home outstanding awards and 2 other students took home commendations. Mayor Bressette and Councilmember Melody Carruth congratulated Jason and LHHS on the extraordinary accomplishments of the class that will graduate in June. Jason noted that Joey Bonutto, Drew Corley and Jeff McCraney are all in the MUN program as well as being Scholar Athletes.
CONSENT CALENDAR *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
The Warrant Register = $503,487.51
Postage for 1/2 Marathon and 5K Event - $1,764.21 + Event Promotional Services for 1/2 Marathon and 5K Event paid to Competitor SC - $800.00
*Editor's note - This event loses money for the city and the city never seems to be able to figure out how many Laguna Hills residents actually participate in this 13.1 mile run. Saddleback Hospital stopped sponsoring the event in 2008 because it lost money. From the 2/23/10 Warrant Register - we see additional fees for the event for 2010 totaling $16,357.25 - K F Studios - $1,357.25 Event Promotional Services 1/2 Marathon & 5K Event May, 2009 Renegade Racing - $15,000.00 for Event mgmt. Services to 1/2 marathon & 5K Event May, 2010. Published total expenses this year = $18,921.46 so far.
ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - None, Consent Calendar Passed 5-0.
PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEAINGS - NONE
Comments - Mike Klister, Laguna Hills Citizen from Mustang Dr. added to his previous comments that he spent a lot of time going through the Traffic Signal Master Plan update and noted 2 additional important items: on p.13 a notation states that the 2007 case results show that none of the candidate intersections are warranted via their accident experience and a warning on p.8 states should a signal be unjustified or poorly maintained one or more of the following may result, increased accident frequency, excess delay, driver frustration, disregard of signal indications, and circuitous travel by alternate routes.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS -
Item 6.1 - Request to prepare Letter from City of Laguna Hills to SCAG (Southern CA. Association of Governments) informing them of the city's disagreement with their recommendations for land use and suggesting that SCAG cease further efforts to propose reform of the way local governments are financed.
The Laguna Hills Staff Report states - the foundation for this letter to SCAG is reportedly a belief that local governments have become overly dependent upon existing sales tax revenue or perversely focused on generating new sales tax revenues to support their local programs and services. "As a consequence, local agencies are presumed to be making undesirable and/or illogical land use decisions that are, in turn, creating traffic congestion on our freeways, air pollution, unaffordable residential home prices and multiple other negative impacts on the environment." **See the full staff report on the City of Laguna Hills web site under Agenda's and Minutes for 3-9-10 Item 6.1
City Manager Bruce Channing recommended from his experience that this letter be sent. Mayor Bressette stated that he received a letter form the City of Lake Forest that they are sending a similar letter. VOTE - This item passed 5 - 0
Item 6.2 - Request for Community Assistance Funding for the 2010 Project 999 Memorial Ride - Request for a donation of $1,000 to the Project 999 Fund that provides assistance to families of Orange County Peace Officers who are injured or killed in the line of duty.
Staff Recommendation - Authorize the funding.
Chief Steve Doan spoke on this, at times with some difficulty, explaining that the Project 999 fund was formed in 1979 for the purpose of supporting OC Law Enforcement, particularly raising funds to assist officers killed or injured in the line of duty in OC. The Project 999 Memorial Ride is the major fund raiser that began in 2000 and has raised and contributed more than one million dollars to assist peace officers and their families. Each May, OC law enforcement officers participate in a 5 day, 630 mile bicycle ride, on their own time, from the Peace Officer Memorial in the State Capital to the OC County Peace Officer Memorial in Santa Ana. They each ride in the name of a fallen officer. Laguna Hills Police Services Sgt. Stewart Rawlings is riding for the second year in honor of Deputy Steve Parsons, killed in the line of duty while serving in the City of Laguna Hills. Another deputy Christina Brown is riding for the first time in the name of Deputy Brad Richards who was murdered, in Lake Forest in 2000. Councilmember Carruth added that 100% of the funds raised go directly to support the Peace Officers and their families.
**Editor's note - **Deputy Steve Parsons died at the age of 36 on June 24, 2000 as a result of a traffic collusion in Laguna Hills while on motorcycle patrol. See a brief bio. of Deputy Parsons and his accomplishments at: http://www.ocsd.org/about_ocsd/fallen_officers/stevenparsons/
VOTE - This Item passed 5 - 0
Comments: None
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Melody Carruth said it appeared the Saddleback Valley Unified School District Trustees would resolve the optional attendance area (generally OSO toward La Paz) that for years has been a problem for Laguna Hills High School. There are a number of LHHS parents at that board meeting who are going to ask that this issue be brought up again. If the boundary stays where it is Laguna Hills could lose 40 - 50 kids and that means loss of faculty and classes as well.
Mayor Bressette stated he has the privilege of being Principal for the Day at Valencia Elem. School tomorrow. He also noted that he and Councilmember Carruth attended the 1940s USO dance which was wonderfully successful and Mayor Randy had the opportunity of throwing the first pitch at the Little League Opening Day on Saturday.
Councilmember Joel Lautenschleger asked us all to sign his petition from the California League of Cities " to Protect Local Taxpayers and Funding for Public Safety, Transportation & Other Vital Local Services from State Raids." ** Editors Note - Much more "local" is the question - Who is protecting the Laguna Hills Taxpayers from the Laguna Hills City Council who is giving nearly $ one million a year to the top 3 positions in City Management, City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Deputy City Manager for managing a permanent staff of only 27 including themselves in a city of only about 34,000 residents? The City Manager and is paid approx. $400,000 a year in salary and benefits plus in 2009 the City Council gave him a $60,000 car and a $23,000+ bonus while they eliminated 2 Sheriffs Deputy Positions for the people. The only councilmember who has formally protested the City Manager's benefits was Melody Carruth. Randal Bressette later stated that if he had it to do over again he would not have voted for the City Manager's bonus for 2009 and both Randy and Melody protested the elimination of the 2 deputy Sheriff's positions. Scott, Lautenschleger, and Songstad have consistently supported the City Manager's salary, benefits and bonuses and both Craig Scott and Joel Lautenschleger have been instrumental in awarding them to the City Manager. On 12-8-09 Joel pointed to this last year as "the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression" but as the negotiator for the city manager's salary and benefits still awarded the city manager a $23,000+ bonus. We asked Joel to sign our petition for Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council Members and he declined saying he didn't believe in it.
CLOSED SESSION - NONE
====================================
Laguna Hills Crime Watch
Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=LagunaHills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by
Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -
Question - Why doesn't the Laguna Hills City Manager live in Laguna Hills, so maybe he would care more about the citizens and the way the city is run?
** This is a question we have received from many Laguna Hills Citizens following the information published in the Newspapers and in the LH Watch Dog related to - The Laguna Hills City Manager got a $60,000 car & $23,000+bonus in 2009 paid for by the taxpayers. He got another $23,000+ bonus this year. He receives salary + benefits of $400,000+ annually to manage a full time staff of 27 in a city of about 34,000, while last year the city eliminated 2 Sheriff's deputy positions to "save money".
Answer - There is no requirement for a City Manager to live in the city he manages. As far as we know Bruce Channing, the City Manager for Laguna Hills, still lives in Yorba Linda. If a city manager did live in the city he or she manages priorities would not necessarily change. The City Manager is accountable to the City Council Members, not to the citizens. The City Manager actually runs the city but needs only 3 City Council Members to consistently support what he does and what his salary and benefits are. He follows their dictates for running the city. In a city like Laguna Hills where most of the city council members remain the same for almost 20 years and the city manager is so well rewarded for managing such a small city there is no incentive for change. The City Council Members are accountable to the citizens so be sure to hold them accountable when you vote.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills - We don't know??
OC Register News Stories and blogs
Laguna Hills term limits proposal kicks off
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-232184-council-hills.html
City manager who got car now gets performance bonus http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-223526-bonus-manager.html
City Manager Benefits top $170,000 November 06, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-channing-car-2635479-year-hills
Laguna Hills buys its city manager a $60,000 car - in Tustin
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/30/laguna-hills-buys-its-city-manager-a-60000-car-in-tustin/41479/
It's the Health Insurance, Stupid
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/its-the-health-insurance-stupid/42089/
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/full-benefits-for-part-time-elected-officials-are-reasonable-mayor-says/42213/
Laguna Hills City manager gets $23,000 bonus over objections
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city
Laguna Hills City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public
Feb. 1, 2010 - Laguna Hills Mayor Pro-Tem. Craig Scott commented on KOCE TV that Term Limits are undemocratic and shift power to Career Bureaucrats, campaign consultants and those who have other than our best interests at heart.
Mr. Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Craig Scott has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member without a break for 19 years so far and is expected to run again in 2010. So, by definition he is already a Career Bureaucrat and he achieved that without Term Limits!
Dec. 4, 2008 - LHCC Member - Craig Scott stated ".... based on what is recited here I think it is fair comment to say that Nellie Gail was not remarkable. "We did some research on this issue and if that's the best we can do, a school teacher, 2 daughters and ran the ranch until turning it over to her children, I submit that's not necessarily remarkable."
Really, Mr. Scott, would you say you are a "remarkable" city council member and how would you define that? ***Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) who was born in Irving, KS on Dec. 8, 1878. Nellie Gail spent her childhood in Nebraska and came to California with her family in 1893. Upon receiving her teaching credentials, she taught school in the state of Washington near Seattle at the turn of the century. On one of her summer trips to visit her family in southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. The couple settled on a ranch of 22,000 acres. When her husband died she ran the 22,000 acre ranch while raising 2 daughters. She was also a school teacher, and an artist. Most of her paintings appear to have been done in and around Laguna Beach. Nellie Gail Ranch, in Laguna Hills, is named for her. Be sure to see the exhibit of her Remarkable life at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - LHCC Member - 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 Mr. Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking us" with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 18 years.
On May 27, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated, "I am on the toll road every day and I don't want the tolls to go down, I want them to stay where they are or go higher and I'm ready to pay that price and I'd prefer NOT to have others do the same."
Are there any volunteers willing to support a resolution proclaiming that the 73 Toll Road be set aside for the Exclusive Use of Laguna Hills City Council Member Craig Scott until such time that this pesky congestion problem caused by less entitled people, like the rest of us, is brought under control? OR - maybe people would like to e-mail Mr. Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us to encourage him to broaden his perspective. He has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member for 18 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.
Reminders & Letters to the Editor
To write letters to the editor of the Orange County Register Newspaper: letters@ocregister.com Please provide your name 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.
You can contact all of the Laguna Hills City Council Members at:
ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614
Friday, February 26, 2010
02/23/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – NONE
PUBLIC COMMENTS - A resident of Carriage Hill Lane in the Indian Creek Association made a request for permitted street parking. He said Residents of the Bella Tierra Community have permit parking for the West side of Indian Hill Lane. On the East side of Indian Hill there are only 8 parking spots, so the residents who need extra parking from the Indian Creek Assoc. would also like to get parking permits to use Indian Hill for their extra parking and would agree to pay parking fees. Council Member Melody Carruth requested a review of the parking matter in the Indian Hills Lane area. Mayor Bressette advised that the matter will be referred to the Traffic Commission for Review.
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT - by Jason Brower - Jason stated that the "Every 15 Minutes" Anti Drunk Driving 2 day event was a spectacular presentation and the city police and fire department were involved in the active re-creation of a drunk driving car crash with teen fatalities. The arrest and trial of the teenaged drunk driver was played out. This drove home the point of a BAD CHOICE as opposed to a mistake. A speaker, with a history of being a drunk driver involved in a fatality stated, "It's Not An Accident". He stressed full accountability and recounted the effects of his action over a life time. Mayor Bressette and Council Member Carruth attended the event. Jason confirmed that this event had a serious impact on the students. International Week is being planned and will be a week long event of cultural presentations for increased understanding and acceptance including booths displaying the culture of foreign countries including food. The purchase of food will fund the International Club presenting the event. The LHHS Instrumental Dept. will present a Jazz USO re-creation of historic American USO shows with food and live dancing on Sunday, Feb. 28 at Laguna Woods.
CONSENT CALENDAR *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
Item 4.2 - The Warrant Register = $802,126.33 including the following:
Bank of America - $3,716.30 for Departmental Operating Expenditures in Jan. 2010
Discount Warehouse - $1,364.78 Office and computer Supplies, Community Services Jan-Feb - 2010
Faubel Public Affairs - $7,625.00 Professional Fees for the "City Views" Spring publication, 2010 - **See a review of "CITY VIEWS" at the end of the City Council report.
K F Studios - $1,357.25 Event Promotional Services 1/2 Marathon & 5K Event May, 2009
Renegade Racing - $15,000.00 for Event mgmt. Services to 1/2 marathon & 5K Event May, 2010
Stone Imagery - $18,210.19 Professional Fees Public Art at the Civic Center
Item 4.3 - Weed Abatement Specifications & Authorize & Advertise for bids for the Annual Weed Abatement Pgrm. City's contract for weed abatement services with Steelclad Inc. will expire on June 30, 2010 so city staff is asking to advertise for bids for weed control services for the next 5 years. Steelclad Inc. declined to continue services for the city for an optional 2 year extension period. Budget for 2009-10 Weed control is $55,000.00
Item 4.4 - Community Services Dept. Year End Report - Community Services Dept is composed of 6 full time staff, 2 regular part time staff and 30 part time & seasonal employees. A recreation facility needs assessments was conducted by the city in 2009 and concluded that the recreational facilities are adequate and meet the needs of the community. City Staff also adjusted the rates at the Community Center upwards to cover costs and make money. Because the fees had not been reviewed or adjusted for 10 years there is now a built in automatic inflation adjustment for the fees every 2 years. Kiosks were installed to collect batteries and CFLs from Laguna Hills residents at the Community Center to divert these items from local landfills.
Item 4.5 - Volunteer Connection Day - April 17, 2010 when the city asks residents to come together to help clean up the city. The Parks and Rec. committee has recommended that Trail & wet land clean up and tree planting be the activities for this year. There will be No E- Waste Collection for Citizens at this event because the commission says it was not used enough last year and because Laguna Hills Residents have unlimited curb-side pick up of E-Waste such as computer monitors through CR&R trash pick up services - does everyone know this? In 2008, 95 people participated in this event and in 2009, 97 people participated in this event. Those numbers are down from the 124 people that participated on April 22, 2006 but up from the 33 that participated on Sept. 16, 2006. The expense to the city for this event is estimated to be $1000.00
ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - Item 4.5 Volunteer Connection Day was pulled by Mayor Bressette. Mayor Bresette pointed out that every year trees are planted near where he lives and he is a bit embarrassed about that. He suggested that the trees be spread around to other areas in need of trees this year.
**Editorial Comment - We don't know how his neighbors feel about his suggestion, but it was refreshing to hear this from a politician.
Council Member Melody Carruth said she favored painting projects that are popular with the younger crowd and cited that tree planting has been a popular family activity. Council Member Joel Lautenschleger stated he did not want any planting or painting to be done except by professionals related to planting the trees properly so they will flourish and the additional work that needs to be done related to preparation for painting, etc. It was decided that the city would hire professionals to do the painting and the tree planting and trash pick up issues were left to the staff to decide.
Vote - This item and the rest of the Consent Calendar passed 5 - 0.
PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 5.2 - Conditional Use Permit (CUP) request from Verizon Wireless to install and operate a wireless communication facility on an existing So. CA. Edison utility Pole located on city owned property North of Via Lomas Dr. and West of the Community Center. This item has been continued several times for the applicant to review the 40 conditions of the CUP. The city requires the applicant to enter into some form of financial/lease agreement which will provide compensation to the city but the city has not disclosed any details about this compensation in the extended agenda printed on the city web site. ** See report online at the City web site under Agendas and Minutes Feb. 23, 2010. It was noted that the Electro Magnetic Field radiates from 65 feet in the air at the top of the pole and there were 41 final conditions of approval to which Verizon agreed.
Staff Recommendation: Approve Vote - Passed 5 - 0
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Item 6.1 Cox Communication Rate Increases - was added by City Manager Channing as an emergency condition, with a 5 - 0 vote of the council - Need for Immediate Action on New Rate Increases for Cox Communication Services in Laguna Hills - Due to some confusion related to waiting for an FCC Ruling, the Cox Cable Rate increase was added to the Agenda re.
(1) the New Maximum Permissible Rates for Basic Service and
(2) Form 1205 - the MPR for Equipment Charges, both effective March 1, 2010.
Per Channing - Cox cable apparently assumed that the FCC would have acted on their application before this time but that did not happen. Cox petitioned the FCC to get relief from regulation by the local agency due to Cox's ability to demonstrate successfully that competition exists in the boundaries of the area they are serving. So the petition was made, but not yet acted upon by the FCC. After review of the documents by city staff the new maximum rate for basic service was set at $26.50, assuming council approval, but Cox may charge less than that rate. Cox currently charges $23 a month for Basic Service. Cox Cable Representative stated that rate increase notices were sent to Cox customers beginning 30 days ago. Vote-This item passed 5 - 0
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Allan Songstad commended the City Finance Staff for their Budget Presentation. He said they received a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. The staff members noted were Janice Mateo-Reyes, Melissa Au-Yeung and Don White, Assistant City Manager. Songstad noted there have been some comments from some citizens that the city budgets are not understandable but he doesn't understand that.
*** Editor's Note - We are delighted to explain this to Mr. Songstad and we thank him for the opportunity. The Budget, published on the city web site, is much like the city in that it looks good but functions poorly for the public. As stated on the city web site - "Finance is committed to developing and maintaining a proficient financial planning and reporting system, in order to provide the City Council, City Manager and other City officials with financial information on a timely and meaningful manner." The problem is not with the financial staff but with the lack of transparency for the public. **Example - We tried to find the $60,000 car purchased by the city for the City Manager in the Budget and could not find it anywhere. Citizens are not allowed to ask specific questions such as "Where is this item?" and receive an answer from the city, so we had to resort to requesting public records twice to learn that this $60,000 purchase was not in the budget. A $60,000 item not being in the budget seemed odd to us when at the January 12, 2010 city council meeting Council Member Craig Scott said about the Anti-Drunk Driving "Every 15 Minutes" event to be presented at the High School "Not to forget the budget issue here. When the school came to us we broke from our normal financial practices and we authorized $2,500 that was not budgeted, now the request is that it's another $6,000."
Mayor Randal Bressette dedicated this city council meeting to the memory of Mike Eggers, former Dana Point Mayor who died a week ago.
CLOSED SESSION - The Public Performance Evaluation the City Manager produced "No Reportable information"
A Review of the Spring Laguna Hills "City Views" Publication
What CITY VIEWS says and does not say about Keeping City Government Costs Down
CITY VIEWS says on p.5 paragraph 1 - "Laguna Hills maintains a small and efficient staff of 27 full time employees and a personnel budget of 25% of the total operating budget. The City has retained a small staff in order to keep costs down."
*Editorial Comment - CITY VIEWS does NOT say - In this small city of only about 34,000 people the management team of 3 (City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Deputy City Manager) are paid almost $1 million a year, by the city, in salary and benefits to supervise the "small staff" of 27 full time employees. See - City Manager Benefits top $170,000 http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html 2008 Salaries and benefits for the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager alone (Excluding the city manager's new $60,000 car in 2009) = $725,412.73. Add the salary/benefits of the Deputy City Manager to reach for a $ million.
Additionally - From the City Council Policy #105 Financial Policies Biennial Budget FY 2009/10 - 2010/11, we see that the city has a Competitive Salary Policy of paying higher salaries - The city will strive to maintain a highly competitive salary and benefits program which sets the top step of salary ranges at 5% above the County Average for each comparable position. The city manager will annually conduct a market survey of similar positions in Orange County and recommend to the city council salary adjustments in keeping with this policy.
What CITY VIEWS says and does not say about Retirement Benefits
CITY VIEWS says on p.5, paragraph 2 - "Laguna Hills is the only city in Orange County and one of 13 in the State that still offers the original PERS pension program of 2% at age 60. The pension tsunami that is certain to hit other cities will not affect Laguna Hills."
**Editorial Comment CITY VIEWS does NOT say - City of Laguna Hills Agenda Report from Administrative Services Dept. 4/27/1999, Item 4.4 - staff investigated amending the City's PERS contract to 2% at 55...... an examination of the 2% at 55 program revealed some inherent inconsistencies.. Fundamentally, the advantage of the program is greatest if one retires at age 55. From that point forward, the value of the program declines until age 63 when there is no monetary difference between the 2% at 55 and the 2% at 60 programs.... Staff investigated other programs and made a recommendation that allowed the city to provide a supplemental retirement plan with the following noteworthy advantages over PERS 2% at 55 - Instead of declining in value after age 55, the PARS defined contribution program would continue to increase in value offering employees an incentive to remain with the City.
The City of Laguna Hills Pays both the Employee and Employer Contributions to CalPERS - Resolution # 2004-06-08-4 - The contributions made by the City of Laguna Hills to CalPERS although designated as employee contributions, are being paid by the City of Laguna Hillls in lieu of contributions by the employees who are members of CalPERS.
In Resolution No 20076-06-12-2 regarding Retirement - Additional Benefits shall include the following: One year final compensation, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Pre-Retirement Survivor Allowance, 1959 Survivor Benefits including Third level Benefits, Extension of reciprocity Rights of Elective Officers and the city shall provide a supplemental retirement program as set forth in Resolution # 99-05-04-1. T
The city also provides and pays for medical, dental and vision insurance plans for all full time employees including elected members and their dependents. In addition to the annual stipends for each part time city council member of $7,483.92, the City pays from $22,428.96 to $23,825.60 annually for each of 4 city council members for health, medical, dental, & vision coverage, $11,300.76 annually for Mayor Bressette and paid $1,324, for each council member, last year into the California Public Employees Retirement System.
What CITY VIEWS says and does not say about Animal Care Services
**Editorial Comments - CITY VIEWS does NOT say:
1. The City of Laguna Hills has chosen, over the objections of the citizens, to retain the worst Animal Care Services available for its citizens through the 67 year old dilapidated and consistently overcrowded (impounded 43,000 animals in the past fiscal year) Orange County Shelter that has a 40 - 50% overall kill rate, and is 20 miles away in the City of Orange. The city has also hired a canvasser, for $40,000, to recover all of the city's modest cost (about $65,000 per year) for County Animal Care Services. The canvasser will knock on doors and look over fences to find dogs for which no license is recorded and cite the owners for a fine and a license fee if owners have not licensed their dogs by May 15, 2010.
2. Your pet is not safe at the Orange County Shelter because it is understaffed, overcrowded and its services are paid for only by cities who demand the cheapest services available. It is understandable that citizens would not want to support bad services for citizens, but we strongly encourage you to license your pet and get a microchip ID because it is true that if you pet ever gets lost your pet has a much better chance of surviving the County Shelter with a license and a microchip ID. Also the fines are hefty if your pet winds up at the County Shelter without a license.
3. The City of Laguna Hills had the opportunity to join the Mission Viejo City Animal Shelter in 2005 but turned that down because the City refused to pay more for better services close to home. The Mission Viejo Animal Shelter does not canvass for license fees, instead it provides the incentives of good, humane services close to home and lower license fees than the County Shelter to encourage people to license their pets. Aliso Viejo wisely took the spot with the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter that Laguna Hills turned down, so now there are only 4 cities left in South Orange County who still contract with the old County Shelter, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita and San Juan.
4. It is important to note that the City of Laguna Hills never had any Pet Vaccination and ID Chip Clinics in Laguna Hills until the South County Animal Shelter Coalition told them that this service was available through the County Shelter and should be used. Since that time the city has still had only one Pet Clinic a year in contrast to City Shelters that have several every year for their citizens.
5. There is a Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic in Laguna Hills but the City of Laguna Hills had nothing to do with that. It was created and run by Dr. Matthew Wheaton, DVM and it never received any incentives or vouchers or any help at all from the City of Laguna Hills. Dr. Wheaton has now sold that clinic to another Veterinarian.
Laguna Hills Crime Watch
Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by
Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills? No one knows???
OC Register News Stories and blogs
Laguna Hills term limits proposal kicks off
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-232184-council-hills.html
City manager who got car now gets performance bonus http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-223526-bonus-manager.html
City Manager Benefits top $170,000 November 06, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-channing-car-2635479-year-hills
Laguna Hills buys its city manager a $60,000 car - in Tustin
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/30/laguna-hills-buys-its-city-manager-a-60000-car-in-tustin/41479/
It's the Health Insurance, Stupid
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/its-the-health-insurance-stupid/42089/
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/full-benefits-for-part-time-elected-officials-are-reasonable-mayor-says/42213/
Laguna Hills City manager gets $23,000 bonus over objections
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city
Laguna Hills City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public
Feb. 1, 2010 - Laguna Hills Mayor Pro-Tem. Craig Scott commented on KOCE TV that Term Limits are undemocratic and shift power to Career Bureaucrats, campaign consultants and those who have other than our best interests at heart.
*Editorial Comment - Mr. Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Craig Scott has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member without a break for 19 years so far and is expected to run again in 2010. So, by definition he is already a Career Bureaucrat and he achieved that without Term Limits!
Dec. 4, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated ".... based on what is recited here I think it is fair comment to say that Nellie Gail was not remarkable. "We did some research on this issue and if that's the best we can do, a school teacher, 2 daughters and ran the ranch until turning it over to her children, I submit that's not necessarily remarkable."
* Editorial Comment - Really, Mr. Scott, would you say you are a "remarkable" city council member and how would you define that? ***Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) who was born in Irving, KS on Dec. 8, 1878. Nellie Gail spent her childhood in Nebraska and came to California with her family in 1893. Upon receiving her teaching credentials, she taught school in the state of Washington near Seattle at the turn of the century. On one of her summer trips to visit her family in southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. The couple settled on a ranch of 22,000 acres. When her husband died she ran the 22,000 acre ranch while raising 2 daughters. She was also a school teacher, and an artist. Most of her paintings appear to have been done in and around Laguna Beach. Nellie Gail Ranch, in Laguna Hills, is named for her. Be sure to see the exhibit of her Remarkable life at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - LHCC 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."
*Editorial Comment - Thank you Mr. Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking us" with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 18 years.
On May 27, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated, "I am on the toll road every day and I don't want the tolls to go down, I want them to stay where they are or go higher and I'm ready to pay that price and I'd prefer NOT to have others do the same."
* Editorial Comment - Are there any volunteers willing to support a resolution proclaiming that the 73 Toll Road be set aside for the Exclusive Use of Laguna Hills City Council Member Craig Scott until such time that this pesky congestion problem caused by less entitled people, like the rest of us, is brought under control? OR - maybe people would like to e-mail Mr. Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us to encourage him to broaden his perspective. He has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member for 18 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." *Editorial comment - So true, Allan, so unfortunately true.
Reminders & Letters to the Editor
To write letters to the editor of the Orange county register newspaper: letters@ocregister.com Provide your name 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.
You can contact all of the Laguna Hills City Council Members at:
ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614
All City Council Members were present
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – NONE
PUBLIC COMMENTS - A resident of Carriage Hill Lane in the Indian Creek Association made a request for permitted street parking. He said Residents of the Bella Tierra Community have permit parking for the West side of Indian Hill Lane. On the East side of Indian Hill there are only 8 parking spots, so the residents who need extra parking from the Indian Creek Assoc. would also like to get parking permits to use Indian Hill for their extra parking and would agree to pay parking fees. Council Member Melody Carruth requested a review of the parking matter in the Indian Hills Lane area. Mayor Bressette advised that the matter will be referred to the Traffic Commission for Review.
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT - by Jason Brower - Jason stated that the "Every 15 Minutes" Anti Drunk Driving 2 day event was a spectacular presentation and the city police and fire department were involved in the active re-creation of a drunk driving car crash with teen fatalities. The arrest and trial of the teenaged drunk driver was played out. This drove home the point of a BAD CHOICE as opposed to a mistake. A speaker, with a history of being a drunk driver involved in a fatality stated, "It's Not An Accident". He stressed full accountability and recounted the effects of his action over a life time. Mayor Bressette and Council Member Carruth attended the event. Jason confirmed that this event had a serious impact on the students. International Week is being planned and will be a week long event of cultural presentations for increased understanding and acceptance including booths displaying the culture of foreign countries including food. The purchase of food will fund the International Club presenting the event. The LHHS Instrumental Dept. will present a Jazz USO re-creation of historic American USO shows with food and live dancing on Sunday, Feb. 28 at Laguna Woods.
CONSENT CALENDAR *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
Item 4.2 - The Warrant Register = $802,126.33 including the following:
Bank of America - $3,716.30 for Departmental Operating Expenditures in Jan. 2010
Discount Warehouse - $1,364.78 Office and computer Supplies, Community Services Jan-Feb - 2010
Faubel Public Affairs - $7,625.00 Professional Fees for the "City Views" Spring publication, 2010 - **See a review of "CITY VIEWS" at the end of the City Council report.
K F Studios - $1,357.25 Event Promotional Services 1/2 Marathon & 5K Event May, 2009
Renegade Racing - $15,000.00 for Event mgmt. Services to 1/2 marathon & 5K Event May, 2010
Stone Imagery - $18,210.19 Professional Fees Public Art at the Civic Center
Item 4.3 - Weed Abatement Specifications & Authorize & Advertise for bids for the Annual Weed Abatement Pgrm. City's contract for weed abatement services with Steelclad Inc. will expire on June 30, 2010 so city staff is asking to advertise for bids for weed control services for the next 5 years. Steelclad Inc. declined to continue services for the city for an optional 2 year extension period. Budget for 2009-10 Weed control is $55,000.00
Item 4.4 - Community Services Dept. Year End Report - Community Services Dept is composed of 6 full time staff, 2 regular part time staff and 30 part time & seasonal employees. A recreation facility needs assessments was conducted by the city in 2009 and concluded that the recreational facilities are adequate and meet the needs of the community. City Staff also adjusted the rates at the Community Center upwards to cover costs and make money. Because the fees had not been reviewed or adjusted for 10 years there is now a built in automatic inflation adjustment for the fees every 2 years. Kiosks were installed to collect batteries and CFLs from Laguna Hills residents at the Community Center to divert these items from local landfills.
Item 4.5 - Volunteer Connection Day - April 17, 2010 when the city asks residents to come together to help clean up the city. The Parks and Rec. committee has recommended that Trail & wet land clean up and tree planting be the activities for this year. There will be No E- Waste Collection for Citizens at this event because the commission says it was not used enough last year and because Laguna Hills Residents have unlimited curb-side pick up of E-Waste such as computer monitors through CR&R trash pick up services - does everyone know this? In 2008, 95 people participated in this event and in 2009, 97 people participated in this event. Those numbers are down from the 124 people that participated on April 22, 2006 but up from the 33 that participated on Sept. 16, 2006. The expense to the city for this event is estimated to be $1000.00
ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - Item 4.5 Volunteer Connection Day was pulled by Mayor Bressette. Mayor Bresette pointed out that every year trees are planted near where he lives and he is a bit embarrassed about that. He suggested that the trees be spread around to other areas in need of trees this year.
**Editorial Comment - We don't know how his neighbors feel about his suggestion, but it was refreshing to hear this from a politician.
Council Member Melody Carruth said she favored painting projects that are popular with the younger crowd and cited that tree planting has been a popular family activity. Council Member Joel Lautenschleger stated he did not want any planting or painting to be done except by professionals related to planting the trees properly so they will flourish and the additional work that needs to be done related to preparation for painting, etc. It was decided that the city would hire professionals to do the painting and the tree planting and trash pick up issues were left to the staff to decide.
Vote - This item and the rest of the Consent Calendar passed 5 - 0.
PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 5.2 - Conditional Use Permit (CUP) request from Verizon Wireless to install and operate a wireless communication facility on an existing So. CA. Edison utility Pole located on city owned property North of Via Lomas Dr. and West of the Community Center. This item has been continued several times for the applicant to review the 40 conditions of the CUP. The city requires the applicant to enter into some form of financial/lease agreement which will provide compensation to the city but the city has not disclosed any details about this compensation in the extended agenda printed on the city web site. ** See report online at the City web site under Agendas and Minutes Feb. 23, 2010. It was noted that the Electro Magnetic Field radiates from 65 feet in the air at the top of the pole and there were 41 final conditions of approval to which Verizon agreed.
Staff Recommendation: Approve Vote - Passed 5 - 0
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Item 6.1 Cox Communication Rate Increases - was added by City Manager Channing as an emergency condition, with a 5 - 0 vote of the council - Need for Immediate Action on New Rate Increases for Cox Communication Services in Laguna Hills - Due to some confusion related to waiting for an FCC Ruling, the Cox Cable Rate increase was added to the Agenda re.
(1) the New Maximum Permissible Rates for Basic Service and
(2) Form 1205 - the MPR for Equipment Charges, both effective March 1, 2010.
Per Channing - Cox cable apparently assumed that the FCC would have acted on their application before this time but that did not happen. Cox petitioned the FCC to get relief from regulation by the local agency due to Cox's ability to demonstrate successfully that competition exists in the boundaries of the area they are serving. So the petition was made, but not yet acted upon by the FCC. After review of the documents by city staff the new maximum rate for basic service was set at $26.50, assuming council approval, but Cox may charge less than that rate. Cox currently charges $23 a month for Basic Service. Cox Cable Representative stated that rate increase notices were sent to Cox customers beginning 30 days ago. Vote-This item passed 5 - 0
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Allan Songstad commended the City Finance Staff for their Budget Presentation. He said they received a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. The staff members noted were Janice Mateo-Reyes, Melissa Au-Yeung and Don White, Assistant City Manager. Songstad noted there have been some comments from some citizens that the city budgets are not understandable but he doesn't understand that.
*** Editor's Note - We are delighted to explain this to Mr. Songstad and we thank him for the opportunity. The Budget, published on the city web site, is much like the city in that it looks good but functions poorly for the public. As stated on the city web site - "Finance is committed to developing and maintaining a proficient financial planning and reporting system, in order to provide the City Council, City Manager and other City officials with financial information on a timely and meaningful manner." The problem is not with the financial staff but with the lack of transparency for the public. **Example - We tried to find the $60,000 car purchased by the city for the City Manager in the Budget and could not find it anywhere. Citizens are not allowed to ask specific questions such as "Where is this item?" and receive an answer from the city, so we had to resort to requesting public records twice to learn that this $60,000 purchase was not in the budget. A $60,000 item not being in the budget seemed odd to us when at the January 12, 2010 city council meeting Council Member Craig Scott said about the Anti-Drunk Driving "Every 15 Minutes" event to be presented at the High School "Not to forget the budget issue here. When the school came to us we broke from our normal financial practices and we authorized $2,500 that was not budgeted, now the request is that it's another $6,000."
Mayor Randal Bressette dedicated this city council meeting to the memory of Mike Eggers, former Dana Point Mayor who died a week ago.
CLOSED SESSION - The Public Performance Evaluation the City Manager produced "No Reportable information"
A Review of the Spring Laguna Hills "City Views" Publication
What CITY VIEWS says and does not say about Keeping City Government Costs Down
CITY VIEWS says on p.5 paragraph 1 - "Laguna Hills maintains a small and efficient staff of 27 full time employees and a personnel budget of 25% of the total operating budget. The City has retained a small staff in order to keep costs down."
*Editorial Comment - CITY VIEWS does NOT say - In this small city of only about 34,000 people the management team of 3 (City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Deputy City Manager) are paid almost $1 million a year, by the city, in salary and benefits to supervise the "small staff" of 27 full time employees. See - City Manager Benefits top $170,000 http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html 2008 Salaries and benefits for the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager alone (Excluding the city manager's new $60,000 car in 2009) = $725,412.73. Add the salary/benefits of the Deputy City Manager to reach for a $ million.
Additionally - From the City Council Policy #105 Financial Policies Biennial Budget FY 2009/10 - 2010/11, we see that the city has a Competitive Salary Policy of paying higher salaries - The city will strive to maintain a highly competitive salary and benefits program which sets the top step of salary ranges at 5% above the County Average for each comparable position. The city manager will annually conduct a market survey of similar positions in Orange County and recommend to the city council salary adjustments in keeping with this policy.
What CITY VIEWS says and does not say about Retirement Benefits
CITY VIEWS says on p.5, paragraph 2 - "Laguna Hills is the only city in Orange County and one of 13 in the State that still offers the original PERS pension program of 2% at age 60. The pension tsunami that is certain to hit other cities will not affect Laguna Hills."
**Editorial Comment CITY VIEWS does NOT say - City of Laguna Hills Agenda Report from Administrative Services Dept. 4/27/1999, Item 4.4 - staff investigated amending the City's PERS contract to 2% at 55...... an examination of the 2% at 55 program revealed some inherent inconsistencies.. Fundamentally, the advantage of the program is greatest if one retires at age 55. From that point forward, the value of the program declines until age 63 when there is no monetary difference between the 2% at 55 and the 2% at 60 programs.... Staff investigated other programs and made a recommendation that allowed the city to provide a supplemental retirement plan with the following noteworthy advantages over PERS 2% at 55 - Instead of declining in value after age 55, the PARS defined contribution program would continue to increase in value offering employees an incentive to remain with the City.
The City of Laguna Hills Pays both the Employee and Employer Contributions to CalPERS - Resolution # 2004-06-08-4 - The contributions made by the City of Laguna Hills to CalPERS although designated as employee contributions, are being paid by the City of Laguna Hillls in lieu of contributions by the employees who are members of CalPERS.
In Resolution No 20076-06-12-2 regarding Retirement - Additional Benefits shall include the following: One year final compensation, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Pre-Retirement Survivor Allowance, 1959 Survivor Benefits including Third level Benefits, Extension of reciprocity Rights of Elective Officers and the city shall provide a supplemental retirement program as set forth in Resolution # 99-05-04-1. T
The city also provides and pays for medical, dental and vision insurance plans for all full time employees including elected members and their dependents. In addition to the annual stipends for each part time city council member of $7,483.92, the City pays from $22,428.96 to $23,825.60 annually for each of 4 city council members for health, medical, dental, & vision coverage, $11,300.76 annually for Mayor Bressette and paid $1,324, for each council member, last year into the California Public Employees Retirement System.
What CITY VIEWS says and does not say about Animal Care Services
**Editorial Comments - CITY VIEWS does NOT say:
1. The City of Laguna Hills has chosen, over the objections of the citizens, to retain the worst Animal Care Services available for its citizens through the 67 year old dilapidated and consistently overcrowded (impounded 43,000 animals in the past fiscal year) Orange County Shelter that has a 40 - 50% overall kill rate, and is 20 miles away in the City of Orange. The city has also hired a canvasser, for $40,000, to recover all of the city's modest cost (about $65,000 per year) for County Animal Care Services. The canvasser will knock on doors and look over fences to find dogs for which no license is recorded and cite the owners for a fine and a license fee if owners have not licensed their dogs by May 15, 2010.
2. Your pet is not safe at the Orange County Shelter because it is understaffed, overcrowded and its services are paid for only by cities who demand the cheapest services available. It is understandable that citizens would not want to support bad services for citizens, but we strongly encourage you to license your pet and get a microchip ID because it is true that if you pet ever gets lost your pet has a much better chance of surviving the County Shelter with a license and a microchip ID. Also the fines are hefty if your pet winds up at the County Shelter without a license.
3. The City of Laguna Hills had the opportunity to join the Mission Viejo City Animal Shelter in 2005 but turned that down because the City refused to pay more for better services close to home. The Mission Viejo Animal Shelter does not canvass for license fees, instead it provides the incentives of good, humane services close to home and lower license fees than the County Shelter to encourage people to license their pets. Aliso Viejo wisely took the spot with the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter that Laguna Hills turned down, so now there are only 4 cities left in South Orange County who still contract with the old County Shelter, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita and San Juan.
4. It is important to note that the City of Laguna Hills never had any Pet Vaccination and ID Chip Clinics in Laguna Hills until the South County Animal Shelter Coalition told them that this service was available through the County Shelter and should be used. Since that time the city has still had only one Pet Clinic a year in contrast to City Shelters that have several every year for their citizens.
5. There is a Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic in Laguna Hills but the City of Laguna Hills had nothing to do with that. It was created and run by Dr. Matthew Wheaton, DVM and it never received any incentives or vouchers or any help at all from the City of Laguna Hills. Dr. Wheaton has now sold that clinic to another Veterinarian.
Laguna Hills Crime Watch
Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by
Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills? No one knows???
OC Register News Stories and blogs
Laguna Hills term limits proposal kicks off
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-232184-council-hills.html
City manager who got car now gets performance bonus http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-223526-bonus-manager.html
City Manager Benefits top $170,000 November 06, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-channing-car-2635479-year-hills
Laguna Hills buys its city manager a $60,000 car - in Tustin
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/30/laguna-hills-buys-its-city-manager-a-60000-car-in-tustin/41479/
It's the Health Insurance, Stupid
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/its-the-health-insurance-stupid/42089/
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/full-benefits-for-part-time-elected-officials-are-reasonable-mayor-says/42213/
Laguna Hills City manager gets $23,000 bonus over objections
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city
Laguna Hills City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public
Feb. 1, 2010 - Laguna Hills Mayor Pro-Tem. Craig Scott commented on KOCE TV that Term Limits are undemocratic and shift power to Career Bureaucrats, campaign consultants and those who have other than our best interests at heart.
*Editorial Comment - Mr. Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Craig Scott has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member without a break for 19 years so far and is expected to run again in 2010. So, by definition he is already a Career Bureaucrat and he achieved that without Term Limits!
Dec. 4, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated ".... based on what is recited here I think it is fair comment to say that Nellie Gail was not remarkable. "We did some research on this issue and if that's the best we can do, a school teacher, 2 daughters and ran the ranch until turning it over to her children, I submit that's not necessarily remarkable."
* Editorial Comment - Really, Mr. Scott, would you say you are a "remarkable" city council member and how would you define that? ***Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) who was born in Irving, KS on Dec. 8, 1878. Nellie Gail spent her childhood in Nebraska and came to California with her family in 1893. Upon receiving her teaching credentials, she taught school in the state of Washington near Seattle at the turn of the century. On one of her summer trips to visit her family in southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. The couple settled on a ranch of 22,000 acres. When her husband died she ran the 22,000 acre ranch while raising 2 daughters. She was also a school teacher, and an artist. Most of her paintings appear to have been done in and around Laguna Beach. Nellie Gail Ranch, in Laguna Hills, is named for her. Be sure to see the exhibit of her Remarkable life at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - LHCC 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."
*Editorial Comment - Thank you Mr. Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking us" with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 18 years.
On May 27, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated, "I am on the toll road every day and I don't want the tolls to go down, I want them to stay where they are or go higher and I'm ready to pay that price and I'd prefer NOT to have others do the same."
* Editorial Comment - Are there any volunteers willing to support a resolution proclaiming that the 73 Toll Road be set aside for the Exclusive Use of Laguna Hills City Council Member Craig Scott until such time that this pesky congestion problem caused by less entitled people, like the rest of us, is brought under control? OR - maybe people would like to e-mail Mr. Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us to encourage him to broaden his perspective. He has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member for 18 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." *Editorial comment - So true, Allan, so unfortunately true.
Reminders & Letters to the Editor
To write letters to the editor of the Orange county register newspaper: letters@ocregister.com Provide your name 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.
You can contact all of the Laguna Hills City Council Members at:
ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
02/09/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – NONE
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT - by Jason Brower - NONE
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
CONSENT CALENDAR- *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
The Warrant Register = $203,962.08
Item 4.3 - Authorization to Advertise for Bids for Synchronization of Traffic Signals at Alicia Pkwy. and at La Paz Rd. including a new traffic Signal at La Paz Rd & Appaloosa City's information says these projects are budgeted for $875,000 mostly paid for by Measure M funds. This project will build upon the ongoing Orange County Transportation Authority's Alicia Pkwy. Traffic Light Synchronization project seeking to improve travel time for motorists over the entire length of Alicia Pkwy. across multiple jurisdictions.
Staff Recommends authorization to advertise these projects for bids.
** editor's note - Coordination of Traffic Signals was the highest rated Spending Priority for Laguna Hills Residents polled in the 2007 LH City Survey. 396 residents responded to this question about Coordination of Traffic Signals and 70.2% rated it a HIGH Spending Priority, 21% rated it Medium, 6% rated it Low and 2.5% Rated it - Do Not Spend.
This Item Passed by a vote of 5-0
Item 4.4 - Establishment of Passenger Loading and Unloading Zone at Valencia Elem. School. The Valencia Principal contacted the city staff with a request to create a Loading & Unloading Zone to alleviate traffic congestion during student drop off and pick up times. The Principal noted that buses do not use this location anymore and the location will be better utilized if passenger vehicles are allowed to temporarily load and unload there. On Dec. 10, 2009 city staff met with Principal Stonebarger and he indicated that traffic in the school parking lot during morning and afternoon pick up and drop off times is extremely chaotic. He proposed the solution requested here. Fiscal Impact approx. $750.00
Staff Recommends - City adopt a resolution implementing this solution - establish a passenger loading/unloading zone on the east side of Paseo de Valencia.
This Item Passed by a vote of 5-0
ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR - None there was No Discussion on the Traffic Signal Synch. Project or the Loading and Unloading Zones at Valencia School.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION - Item 5.2 - Election of Public Improvement Corporation Officers - The Laguna Hills City Council, in addition to being the Laguna Hills Planning Agency, also acts as the Board of Directors for the Laguna Hills Public Improvement Corporation whose Primary Purpose is to render financial assistance to the city. The council members rotate their offices as Board President on the second Tues. of Feb. of each year. In 2010 they named Randal Bressette as Board President, and re-named City Manager, Bruce Channing as Vice President, Assist. City Manager Don White as Treasurer and City Clerk Peggy Johns as Secretary.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - Item 6.2 - Assist. City Manager Don White - Civic Center Public Art Program, Continuing Historical, Cultural and Educational Programs is requesting that the city council Approve:
1. the completion of online exhibit and archive
2. the development of a local schools program and curriculum guide,
3. and Authorize the City Manager to amend the Professional Services Agreement with the City's Public Art Consultant to complete 1 and 2 above.
The Master Plan for the Public Art Program was approved in January 2006. The council selected an Early CA. in the Saddleback Valley historic theme and identified 11 pieces of art. The recent installation of the council chamber murals brings this phase of the Civic Center Art Program to a close. Staff is developing an Online Exhibit and Archive with pages of information about each piece of art. Estimated cost is $16,000
City is also investigating developing and Educational School Tour Program and Curriculum to provide teachers in Grades 3 - 5 the opportunity to foster student's understanding of the early history of the Saddleback Valley through visits to view and discuss the art and through art contests, essays, etc. that will also include elementary., middle and high schools. Estimated cost is $11,000.00
Additional Elements - Additional art pieces for the plaza area and the rotunda of the Civic Center are not yet commissioned due to the downturn in the economy but will be brought forward for re-activation when funds are available.
Fiscal Impact - Original budget was $514,000. Estimated final expenditures include an additional $16,000 for the online exhibit and archive, and an additional $11,000 for the school tour and curriculum guide for local teachers. The Civic Center Public Art program is funded by the City's Public Art Fund which includes loans from the General Fund. As of June 30,2009 the Public art Fund owed the General Fund $162, 813.00.
Staff Recommends approval of the requests stated above. *See more detail on the city web site under Agendas of Feb. 9, 2010 Vote - This Item passed 5 - 0
COMMENTS: Robert Evans, Artist who created the Council Chamber Murals
spoke about his research for the 3 new historical murals that were installed in the council chambers of the Civic Center last Friday. He thanked the council for their patience and said his research and design for the time period of these historical murals involved more work and time than doing the actual painting.
The highlight of the evening was these 3 large murals which are about 8 x 8 feet on both side walls of the council chamber and a huge mural about 8 x 20 feet on the back wall. They were all done in acrylic paint and the artist is still touching up the pieces and taking suggestions from the council related to fine detail.
Robert Evans later gave us details of how he found historical pictures of General Kearny, Commodore Stockton and Don Juan Avila and then had to figure out how they would look at younger ages and from the side although their pictures were full face. He added that the dog in the War Brings Change mural was an Australian Shepherd and some of the horses pictured in the Discovering Orange County mural were Spanish Barbs, some were part Mule, etc. as he tried to get the details right for the times in which the people and animals were portrayed.
The largest mural on the back wall is entitled Discovering Orange County and pictures, a scouting party on horses heading toward Trabuco Canyon. As you face the dais the mural on the right is entitled Mining Pecten Reef and portrays Native Americans mining in the area that is now Via Lomas. Pecten was used to construct Missions. The 3rd mural is entitled War Brings Change and portrays Army General Stephen Kearny and US Navy Commodore Robert Stockton with Don Juan Avila at Avila's ranch in Rancho Niguel during the Mexican-American War. All 3 murals are stunning and received high praise from council members and audience. A date for the official public ceremony for the presentation of the murals will be sometime in March. Remarks about the murals from the council members were: Craig Scott - Source of pride and an educational tool for the community, Joel Lautenschleger - Vibrant color and artist should stop now, no changes, Melody Carruth - In awe, so much attention to detail, art, science and history all brought together successfully, Lighting is wonderful. Randal Bressette - Lighting is wonderful in each one, Allan Songstad expressed concern for the security of the art work.
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Council Member Melody Carruth said she was wearing a Red Scarf around her neck as a symbol of Heart Awareness, good nutrition, exercise and check ups. She also initiated a discussion satellite school losses of about 3000 students resulting in boundaries changes for schools in an effort to avoid closing schools. She added that Valencia Elementary may receive 250 to 300 new students and the school board may vote tonight to restore the area of attendance for Laguna Hills High School to Laguna Hills.
Council Member Lautenschleger commented on the problems resulting from the school board currently reshuffling boundaries and how this often causes children living near a school to have to commute to a school further away.
Council Member Allan Songstad discussed a report from a January SCAG meeting related to a Land Use Plan to skew sales tax revenues to at least temporarily support the State. He asked the council to read the report and make a strong statement to SCAG to stop focusing on this and focus on things like Regional Transportation.
Mayor Randal Bressette announced that the OC Fire Authority held their Best and Bravest Awards Ceremony. 4 members from Station 22, Ellen Robinson, Johnny Choy, Evan Sorenberger and Ryan Cummings, received a Unit Citation for the rescue of an elderly woman from a burning house in Laguna Woods. Firefighter Cummings received the Medal of Valor from the OC Fire Authority. This was only the 3rd time in OCFA history that this medal has been awarded. From the OC Fire Authorities Civilian Team, one civilian won an award for pulling a victim from a burning car on I - 5 at La Paz, despite serious injuries to herself. Bressette noted Trauma Intervention Program gave their 2009 stats for Laguna Hills=192 LH residents served and average response time was 21 minutes.
CLOSED SESSION to consider the City Manager's Public Employee Performance Evaluation. On 2/10/10 it was announced that "NOTHING REPORTABLE" came from this Closed Session.
===========================================
Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from
Watch Dog Readers
This City Council awarding another large bonus to their City Manager on top of his car and everything else is an "IN YOUR FACE" to the citizens of Laguna Hills. What do other cities
of comparable size in OC pay their City Managers in salary and bonus?
Outraged Laguna Hills Citizen
City Council Member Melody Carruth's complete explanation of her vote against the City Manager's 2009 bonus
"There was only one public vote on Mr. Channing's bonus. That vote occurred on Dec. 8, 2009 in public in the council chamber, close to midnight, following a regular city council meeting and closed session. Lautenschleger, Scott, Songstad and Bressette voted to award the performance bonus. I was the only council member to vote no. (Please check the OC REGISTER article Dec. 18, 2009 Local Section reporting on the Dec. 8th 4-1 public vote). In addition to my vote against the bonus I publicly stated on Dec. 8, in the chamber, the importance of a new city manager contract with no open-ended compensation. I publicly expressed my opposition to the $60,000 car, travel, and other compensation awarded to the city manager. My statements are recorded in the minutes of the Dec. 8 public meeting.
MR. CHANNING'S BONUS WAS EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 8, 2009. HE HAS HAD HIS $23,000 BONUS FOR SIX WEEKS.
While Mayor Bressette may now regret his vote on Dec. 8 - it is too late. It is unworthy of an elected official to try and change history or distort in any way, the minutes of a public meeting . It is improper for an elected official to suggest or infer a public document is untrue or false when the elected official knows full well the resolution accurately states the actions of a city council. Resolution 2010 before the city council on January 26 was not a vote on the bonus.
The bonus vote took place seven weeks earlier.
Resolution 2010 was written to ratify, formally confirm the city council's action on Dec. 8.
Resolution 2010 clearly states it is a " record of the city council's action on Dec. 8th. ( this Resolution language reads like a sequence of events) ".... the council convened in closed session on Dec. 8, 2009, for the purpose of conducting the annual performance evaluation....the city council reconvened in regular session and approved the award of a performance bonus to the City Manager by a vote of 4 to 1 (Council Member Carruth voting no)...Whereas, the City Council hereby ratifies the action taken on Dec. 8, 2009...Whereas, the above recitals are true and correct...."
The City Council was asked Tuesday night if Resolution 2010 was an accurate record of the Dec. 8, 2009 events which took place in public, in the council chamber. These resolutions adopted by the city council are serious documents which become part of the permanent city archives. The city council adopted Resolution 2010 because its contents were true. I voted to approve the resolution because it was true and accurate. It was a 4-1 vote. I was the only council member to vote against the performance bonus. Mr. Bressette, when asked if the recitals were true and accurate replied " Let's talk in private." We should all strive for more transparency in government - at all levels. Mr. Bressette refused to offer an explanation in public. Information, he suggested, would be forthcoming in private (in the parking lot? in a backroom?). He has yet to explain why he believes Resolution 2010 was not filled with factual information."
Melody Carruth, city council member
Laguna Hills Crime Watch
Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to:http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by
the City of Laguna Hills This is still being worked out. More to follow.
OC Register News Stories and blogs
Laguna Hills term limits proposal kicks off
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-232184-council-hills.html
City manager who got car now gets performance bonus
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-223526-bonus-manager.html
City Manager Benefits top $170,000 November 06, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-channing-car-2635479-year-hills
Laguna Hills buys its city manager a $60,000 car - in Tustin
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/30/laguna-hills-buys-its-city-manager-a-60000-car-in-tustin/41479/
It's the Health Insurance, Stupid
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/its-the-health-insurance-stupid/42089/
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/full-benefits-for-part-time-elected-officials-are-reasonable-mayor-says/42213/
Laguna Hills City manager gets $23,000 bonus over objectionshttp://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city
Laguna Hills City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public
Feb. 1, 2010 - Laguna Hills Mayor Pro-Tem. Craig Scott commented on KOCE TV that Term Limits are undemocratic and shift power to Career Bureaucrats, campaign consultants and those who have other than our best interests at heart.
Mr. Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Craig Scott has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member without a break for 19 years so far and is expected to run again in 2010. So, by definition he is already a Career Bureaucrat and he achieved that without Term Limits!
Dec. 4, 2008 - LHCC Member - Craig Scott stated ".... based on what is recited here I think it is fair comment to say that Nellie Gail was not remarkable. "We did some research on this issue and if that's the best we can do, a school teacher, 2 daughters and ran the ranch until turning it over to her children, I submit that's not necessarily remarkable."
Really, Mr. Scott, would you say you are a "remarkable" city council member and how would you define that? ***Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) who was born in Irving, KS on Dec. 8, 1878. Nellie Gail spent her childhood in Nebraska and came to California with her family in 1893. Upon receiving her teaching credentials, she taught school in the state of Washington near Seattle at the turn of the century. On one of her summer trips to visit her family in southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. The couple settled on a ranch of 22,000 acres. When her husband died she ran the 22,000 acre ranch while raising 2 daughters. She was also a school teacher, and an artist. Most of her paintings appear to have been done in and around Laguna Beach. Nellie Gail Ranch, in Laguna Hills, is named for her. Be sure to see the exhibit of her Remarkable life at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - LHCC Member - 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 Mr. Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking us" with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 18 years.
On May 27, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated, "I am on the toll road every day and I don't want the tolls to go down, I want them to stay where they are or go higher and I'm ready to pay that price and I'd prefer NOT to have others do the same."
Are there any volunteers willing to support a resolution proclaiming that the 73 Toll Road be set aside for the Exclusive Use of Laguna Hills City Council Member Craig Scott until such time that this pesky congestion problem caused by less entitled people, like the rest of us, is brought under control? OR - maybe people would like to e-mail Mr. Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us to encourage him to broaden his perspective. He has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member for 18 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.
Reminders & Letters to the Editor
To write letters to the editor of the Orange county register newspaper: letters@ocregister.com Please provide your name 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.
You can contact all of the Laguna Hills City Council Members at: ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614
All City Council Members were present
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – NONE
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT - by Jason Brower - NONE
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
CONSENT CALENDAR- *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
The Warrant Register = $203,962.08
Item 4.3 - Authorization to Advertise for Bids for Synchronization of Traffic Signals at Alicia Pkwy. and at La Paz Rd. including a new traffic Signal at La Paz Rd & Appaloosa City's information says these projects are budgeted for $875,000 mostly paid for by Measure M funds. This project will build upon the ongoing Orange County Transportation Authority's Alicia Pkwy. Traffic Light Synchronization project seeking to improve travel time for motorists over the entire length of Alicia Pkwy. across multiple jurisdictions.
Staff Recommends authorization to advertise these projects for bids.
** editor's note - Coordination of Traffic Signals was the highest rated Spending Priority for Laguna Hills Residents polled in the 2007 LH City Survey. 396 residents responded to this question about Coordination of Traffic Signals and 70.2% rated it a HIGH Spending Priority, 21% rated it Medium, 6% rated it Low and 2.5% Rated it - Do Not Spend.
This Item Passed by a vote of 5-0
Item 4.4 - Establishment of Passenger Loading and Unloading Zone at Valencia Elem. School. The Valencia Principal contacted the city staff with a request to create a Loading & Unloading Zone to alleviate traffic congestion during student drop off and pick up times. The Principal noted that buses do not use this location anymore and the location will be better utilized if passenger vehicles are allowed to temporarily load and unload there. On Dec. 10, 2009 city staff met with Principal Stonebarger and he indicated that traffic in the school parking lot during morning and afternoon pick up and drop off times is extremely chaotic. He proposed the solution requested here. Fiscal Impact approx. $750.00
Staff Recommends - City adopt a resolution implementing this solution - establish a passenger loading/unloading zone on the east side of Paseo de Valencia.
This Item Passed by a vote of 5-0
ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR - None there was No Discussion on the Traffic Signal Synch. Project or the Loading and Unloading Zones at Valencia School.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION - Item 5.2 - Election of Public Improvement Corporation Officers - The Laguna Hills City Council, in addition to being the Laguna Hills Planning Agency, also acts as the Board of Directors for the Laguna Hills Public Improvement Corporation whose Primary Purpose is to render financial assistance to the city. The council members rotate their offices as Board President on the second Tues. of Feb. of each year. In 2010 they named Randal Bressette as Board President, and re-named City Manager, Bruce Channing as Vice President, Assist. City Manager Don White as Treasurer and City Clerk Peggy Johns as Secretary.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - Item 6.2 - Assist. City Manager Don White - Civic Center Public Art Program, Continuing Historical, Cultural and Educational Programs is requesting that the city council Approve:
1. the completion of online exhibit and archive
2. the development of a local schools program and curriculum guide,
3. and Authorize the City Manager to amend the Professional Services Agreement with the City's Public Art Consultant to complete 1 and 2 above.
The Master Plan for the Public Art Program was approved in January 2006. The council selected an Early CA. in the Saddleback Valley historic theme and identified 11 pieces of art. The recent installation of the council chamber murals brings this phase of the Civic Center Art Program to a close. Staff is developing an Online Exhibit and Archive with pages of information about each piece of art. Estimated cost is $16,000
City is also investigating developing and Educational School Tour Program and Curriculum to provide teachers in Grades 3 - 5 the opportunity to foster student's understanding of the early history of the Saddleback Valley through visits to view and discuss the art and through art contests, essays, etc. that will also include elementary., middle and high schools. Estimated cost is $11,000.00
Additional Elements - Additional art pieces for the plaza area and the rotunda of the Civic Center are not yet commissioned due to the downturn in the economy but will be brought forward for re-activation when funds are available.
Fiscal Impact - Original budget was $514,000. Estimated final expenditures include an additional $16,000 for the online exhibit and archive, and an additional $11,000 for the school tour and curriculum guide for local teachers. The Civic Center Public Art program is funded by the City's Public Art Fund which includes loans from the General Fund. As of June 30,2009 the Public art Fund owed the General Fund $162, 813.00.
Staff Recommends approval of the requests stated above. *See more detail on the city web site under Agendas of Feb. 9, 2010 Vote - This Item passed 5 - 0
COMMENTS: Robert Evans, Artist who created the Council Chamber Murals
spoke about his research for the 3 new historical murals that were installed in the council chambers of the Civic Center last Friday. He thanked the council for their patience and said his research and design for the time period of these historical murals involved more work and time than doing the actual painting.
The highlight of the evening was these 3 large murals which are about 8 x 8 feet on both side walls of the council chamber and a huge mural about 8 x 20 feet on the back wall. They were all done in acrylic paint and the artist is still touching up the pieces and taking suggestions from the council related to fine detail.
Robert Evans later gave us details of how he found historical pictures of General Kearny, Commodore Stockton and Don Juan Avila and then had to figure out how they would look at younger ages and from the side although their pictures were full face. He added that the dog in the War Brings Change mural was an Australian Shepherd and some of the horses pictured in the Discovering Orange County mural were Spanish Barbs, some were part Mule, etc. as he tried to get the details right for the times in which the people and animals were portrayed.
The largest mural on the back wall is entitled Discovering Orange County and pictures, a scouting party on horses heading toward Trabuco Canyon. As you face the dais the mural on the right is entitled Mining Pecten Reef and portrays Native Americans mining in the area that is now Via Lomas. Pecten was used to construct Missions. The 3rd mural is entitled War Brings Change and portrays Army General Stephen Kearny and US Navy Commodore Robert Stockton with Don Juan Avila at Avila's ranch in Rancho Niguel during the Mexican-American War. All 3 murals are stunning and received high praise from council members and audience. A date for the official public ceremony for the presentation of the murals will be sometime in March. Remarks about the murals from the council members were: Craig Scott - Source of pride and an educational tool for the community, Joel Lautenschleger - Vibrant color and artist should stop now, no changes, Melody Carruth - In awe, so much attention to detail, art, science and history all brought together successfully, Lighting is wonderful. Randal Bressette - Lighting is wonderful in each one, Allan Songstad expressed concern for the security of the art work.
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Council Member Melody Carruth said she was wearing a Red Scarf around her neck as a symbol of Heart Awareness, good nutrition, exercise and check ups. She also initiated a discussion satellite school losses of about 3000 students resulting in boundaries changes for schools in an effort to avoid closing schools. She added that Valencia Elementary may receive 250 to 300 new students and the school board may vote tonight to restore the area of attendance for Laguna Hills High School to Laguna Hills.
Council Member Lautenschleger commented on the problems resulting from the school board currently reshuffling boundaries and how this often causes children living near a school to have to commute to a school further away.
Council Member Allan Songstad discussed a report from a January SCAG meeting related to a Land Use Plan to skew sales tax revenues to at least temporarily support the State. He asked the council to read the report and make a strong statement to SCAG to stop focusing on this and focus on things like Regional Transportation.
Mayor Randal Bressette announced that the OC Fire Authority held their Best and Bravest Awards Ceremony. 4 members from Station 22, Ellen Robinson, Johnny Choy, Evan Sorenberger and Ryan Cummings, received a Unit Citation for the rescue of an elderly woman from a burning house in Laguna Woods. Firefighter Cummings received the Medal of Valor from the OC Fire Authority. This was only the 3rd time in OCFA history that this medal has been awarded. From the OC Fire Authorities Civilian Team, one civilian won an award for pulling a victim from a burning car on I - 5 at La Paz, despite serious injuries to herself. Bressette noted Trauma Intervention Program gave their 2009 stats for Laguna Hills=192 LH residents served and average response time was 21 minutes.
CLOSED SESSION to consider the City Manager's Public Employee Performance Evaluation. On 2/10/10 it was announced that "NOTHING REPORTABLE" came from this Closed Session.
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Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from
Watch Dog Readers
This City Council awarding another large bonus to their City Manager on top of his car and everything else is an "IN YOUR FACE" to the citizens of Laguna Hills. What do other cities
of comparable size in OC pay their City Managers in salary and bonus?
Outraged Laguna Hills Citizen
City Council Member Melody Carruth's complete explanation of her vote against the City Manager's 2009 bonus
"There was only one public vote on Mr. Channing's bonus. That vote occurred on Dec. 8, 2009 in public in the council chamber, close to midnight, following a regular city council meeting and closed session. Lautenschleger, Scott, Songstad and Bressette voted to award the performance bonus. I was the only council member to vote no. (Please check the OC REGISTER article Dec. 18, 2009 Local Section reporting on the Dec. 8th 4-1 public vote). In addition to my vote against the bonus I publicly stated on Dec. 8, in the chamber, the importance of a new city manager contract with no open-ended compensation. I publicly expressed my opposition to the $60,000 car, travel, and other compensation awarded to the city manager. My statements are recorded in the minutes of the Dec. 8 public meeting.
MR. CHANNING'S BONUS WAS EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 8, 2009. HE HAS HAD HIS $23,000 BONUS FOR SIX WEEKS.
While Mayor Bressette may now regret his vote on Dec. 8 - it is too late. It is unworthy of an elected official to try and change history or distort in any way, the minutes of a public meeting . It is improper for an elected official to suggest or infer a public document is untrue or false when the elected official knows full well the resolution accurately states the actions of a city council. Resolution 2010 before the city council on January 26 was not a vote on the bonus.
The bonus vote took place seven weeks earlier.
Resolution 2010 was written to ratify, formally confirm the city council's action on Dec. 8.
Resolution 2010 clearly states it is a " record of the city council's action on Dec. 8th. ( this Resolution language reads like a sequence of events) ".... the council convened in closed session on Dec. 8, 2009, for the purpose of conducting the annual performance evaluation....the city council reconvened in regular session and approved the award of a performance bonus to the City Manager by a vote of 4 to 1 (Council Member Carruth voting no)...Whereas, the City Council hereby ratifies the action taken on Dec. 8, 2009...Whereas, the above recitals are true and correct...."
The City Council was asked Tuesday night if Resolution 2010 was an accurate record of the Dec. 8, 2009 events which took place in public, in the council chamber. These resolutions adopted by the city council are serious documents which become part of the permanent city archives. The city council adopted Resolution 2010 because its contents were true. I voted to approve the resolution because it was true and accurate. It was a 4-1 vote. I was the only council member to vote against the performance bonus. Mr. Bressette, when asked if the recitals were true and accurate replied " Let's talk in private." We should all strive for more transparency in government - at all levels. Mr. Bressette refused to offer an explanation in public. Information, he suggested, would be forthcoming in private (in the parking lot? in a backroom?). He has yet to explain why he believes Resolution 2010 was not filled with factual information."
Melody Carruth, city council member
Laguna Hills Crime Watch
Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to:http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by
the City of Laguna Hills This is still being worked out. More to follow.
OC Register News Stories and blogs
Laguna Hills term limits proposal kicks off
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-232184-council-hills.html
City manager who got car now gets performance bonus
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-223526-bonus-manager.html
City Manager Benefits top $170,000 November 06, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-channing-car-2635479-year-hills
Laguna Hills buys its city manager a $60,000 car - in Tustin
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/30/laguna-hills-buys-its-city-manager-a-60000-car-in-tustin/41479/
It's the Health Insurance, Stupid
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/its-the-health-insurance-stupid/42089/
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/full-benefits-for-part-time-elected-officials-are-reasonable-mayor-says/42213/
Laguna Hills City manager gets $23,000 bonus over objectionshttp://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city
Laguna Hills City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public
Feb. 1, 2010 - Laguna Hills Mayor Pro-Tem. Craig Scott commented on KOCE TV that Term Limits are undemocratic and shift power to Career Bureaucrats, campaign consultants and those who have other than our best interests at heart.
Mr. Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Craig Scott has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member without a break for 19 years so far and is expected to run again in 2010. So, by definition he is already a Career Bureaucrat and he achieved that without Term Limits!
Dec. 4, 2008 - LHCC Member - Craig Scott stated ".... based on what is recited here I think it is fair comment to say that Nellie Gail was not remarkable. "We did some research on this issue and if that's the best we can do, a school teacher, 2 daughters and ran the ranch until turning it over to her children, I submit that's not necessarily remarkable."
Really, Mr. Scott, would you say you are a "remarkable" city council member and how would you define that? ***Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) who was born in Irving, KS on Dec. 8, 1878. Nellie Gail spent her childhood in Nebraska and came to California with her family in 1893. Upon receiving her teaching credentials, she taught school in the state of Washington near Seattle at the turn of the century. On one of her summer trips to visit her family in southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. The couple settled on a ranch of 22,000 acres. When her husband died she ran the 22,000 acre ranch while raising 2 daughters. She was also a school teacher, and an artist. Most of her paintings appear to have been done in and around Laguna Beach. Nellie Gail Ranch, in Laguna Hills, is named for her. Be sure to see the exhibit of her Remarkable life at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - LHCC Member - 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 Mr. Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking us" with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 18 years.
On May 27, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated, "I am on the toll road every day and I don't want the tolls to go down, I want them to stay where they are or go higher and I'm ready to pay that price and I'd prefer NOT to have others do the same."
Are there any volunteers willing to support a resolution proclaiming that the 73 Toll Road be set aside for the Exclusive Use of Laguna Hills City Council Member Craig Scott until such time that this pesky congestion problem caused by less entitled people, like the rest of us, is brought under control? OR - maybe people would like to e-mail Mr. Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us to encourage him to broaden his perspective. He has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member for 18 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.
Reminders & Letters to the Editor
To write letters to the editor of the Orange county register newspaper: letters@ocregister.com Please provide your name 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.
You can contact all of the Laguna Hills City Council Members at: ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614
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