Truth in Elections? - Special Edition
Laguna Hills Watch Dog, July 24, 2010

In the interest of Council Member Allan Songstad's call for "TRUTH" in elections, and in response to copies of a Letter sent to us by LH Watch Dog readers dated 7-19-10, signed by Laguna Hills City Council Members Allan Songstad and Joel Lautenschleger, we have been requested to address the issue of "the truth" and how that is interpreted.

This letter, requesting campaign contributions for Council Member Craig Scott was sent just 6 days after Allan Songstad made the following statement at the 7-13-10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting in response to statements from the public and the press about the Laguna Hills City Manager receiving the highest total compensation package of all city managers in Orange County. Council Member Allan Songstad said, "....Integrity is the way to win an election and that's where I hope this debate is going to be ...... an election shouldn't be won on falsehoods. It needs to be won on truth. If you can't win it on truth you don't deserve to win."......"Let's lay the facts out there and let the voter's decide, let's not put false statements out there and mislead people into believing things that aren't true." (Please see his entire statement and response in the July 13, 2010 Laguna Hills Watch Dog.)

The letter from Council Members Songstand and Lautenschleger included the following paragraph: "Sadly, one city council challenger is amassing a large war chest of out-of-town money she's already begun spending in a vicious misinformation campaign. Her stated objective in running for City Council is to "remove from the Council all males over the age of 50." We're appalled by this discriminatory and divisive statement. Ugly politics have no place in Laguna Hills, and must not be allowed to take over our fine city."

This letter directed us to the political campaign site for Craig Scott. Because, unlike Craig Scott, we at the Laguna Hills Watch Dog do believe in truth in elections and are careful to separate documented information from our opinions, we went to the campaign site's "Contact" area on 7-21-10 and sent an e-mail to Council Member Scott asking who this un-named "Her" is and we requested documentation of the "stated objective" of "her vicious attempts to remove from the council all males over the age of 50". We have not received a response. For more information citizens may contact Council Members Allan Songstad, Joel Lautenschleger and Craig Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us If anyone has any documentation about any candidate's stated objective to "remove from the Council all males over the age of 50." please send it to the Laguna Hills Watch Dog at BlandMJ@AOL.com.

Some Reader Responses to "Truth in Elections"

Laguna Hills Attack Dogs Turned Loose on City Council Candidate.
The attack dogs of Laguna Hills, Allan Songstad and Joel Lautenschleger were turned loose by council candidate Craig Scott to discredit city council candidate Barbara, “stir the pot”, Kogerman. These two “upstanding” city council members who, by the way, are not up for re-election issued a letter falsely smearing Ms. Kogerman. This just days after councilman Songstad called for a fair campaign stating in open council session, “An election shouldn't be won on falsehoods. It needs to be won on truth. If you can't win it on truth you don't deserve to win."......"Let's lay the facts out there and let the voter's decide, let's not put false statements out there and mislead people into believing things that aren't true."

It appears Ms. Kogerman made the grievous error of exposing how little transparency exists in Laguna Hills city government. Please Ms. Kogerman, everyone knows that common citizens should not know what their City Manager’s compensation is! No wonder the attack dogs are on the loose. - Over 50 in Laguna Hills

I read the letter from Lautenschleger and Songstad and was insulted that they were misstating facts and also a person running for council can't write his own letter? Of all the people to sign their names, these two are the two who are at the top of the "Clueless in Laguna Hills". I will be returning their envelope but there will be no money in it and I don't think they will like my response. - A long time Laguna Hills citizen

With all that is going on in the City of Bell and the huge $800,000 yearly salary + benefits and retirements, I hope each City gets the reviews the people deserve to have. - LH Citizen

I guess you knocked the wind out of their sails. - =) in Laguna Hills

What bothered me most about this letter was how these 2 incumbents talked down to the citizens on behalf of Councilmember Craig Scott. They obviously believe citizens lack the ability to connect the dots between Songstad's calls for truth and what he actually says, and to see though this claim that anyone would actually run for city council with a "stated objective" of removing all males over 50 from the city council. Can't you just picture a candidate handing that stated objective out in his or her campaign literature? If these 3 council members believe the citizens are that ignorant they should be using all the money they collect for immediate remedial education for the citizens rather than for a political campaign for Craig Scott. - Under 50 but Not stupid LH Citizen

I have to assume that Craig Scott has not answered you on this. Having met Barbara Kogerman I'm reasonably sure she would never be so stupid as to say such a thing to anyone. Only one word comes to my mind regarding the author of this slur - DELUSIONAL. After what has gone on in the City of Bell you would think these councilmembers would be more circumspect. But the Bell debacle proves once and for all that citizens ignore local politics at their peril. We all need to pay attention to what is happening in our own backyards and VOTE in November. - Paying attention in Laguna Hills

Obviously some males over 50 feel threatened by a female who has some wits and smarts, even looks good and might get to the bottom of hidden agendas in city government, the old boys club needs to stop. We can look at the city of Bell to see a worse situation of a self serving "good old boys" club. We have a lesser situation here, but without needed checks and balances. Let's get some fresh blood, and why not a smart female (no age restrictions) who wants transparency and will provide it for citizens. Someone who will seek grants for the elderly without being forced to do that and get us some good animal shelter services for the fees that we pay rather than the concentration camp for pets that we have now. Honesty with no bashing of a worthy competitor is what integrity should be. I support Barbara and her agenda of transparency and oversight in all city matters, no idiotic spending on "roman columns" etc. Also, I have to touch on this - ..."sadly, one city council challenger is amassing a large war chest of out-of-town money she's already begun spending in a vicious misinformation campaign..." Why is this sad? The only one who will feel sad is the one who vacates the seat they thought they would own for the rest of their life. Every politician needs money and it's not always the one with the most money but the one with the best agenda who wins. Regarding out of town donations, many people work in Laguna Hills or have businesses here and live out of town, etc. - Mr. C

On July 13, Laguna Hills City Council Member Songstad said statements about the compensation of the City Manager were grossly inaccurate and the City Manager being able to give 11% raises without city council approval is just false. Regarding accuracy and honesty council members better be sure the information their city provides is correct because all the information for comparisons of Total Compensations for City Managers in Orange County, came directly from the cities. 3 cities have now corrected some of their information but nothing from Laguna Hills whose City Manager continues to be the most highly compensated in Orange County. On June 23, 2009 Laguna Hills Council Members Songstad, Lautenschleger and Craig Scott voted against obtaining approval from the City Council for the City Manager to raise annual staff salaries up to 11% + give staff bonuses on his own. Mike in Laguna Hills

I can't believe that any educated person running for office would make that statement. Sounds like a smear campaign from the incumbents to me. A Laguna Hills Resident

Interesting that with his (the City Manager's) compensation that his settings on "Linked in" are to look for new career opportunities. Spending our city's money searching for a better opportunity for himself. Like the opportunity he has right now is not enough. Linked in Laguna Hills Citizen

I received one of those letters too - addressed to the people that lived here before us, 14 yrs. ago, ha! My husband and I couldn't believe how absurd it is. I especially choked on the "Laguna Hills is in excellent financial health because of Craig's insistence on conservative management of our tax dollars" - don't you have facts that Scott is the one who negotiated our City Manager's inflated salary? Conservative Laguna Hills Citizen

Editor's note - We were told each year in City Council Meetings that City Council Member Craig Scott was elected by the other Council Members to negotiate the City Manager's Total Benefits package until 2009 when that job shifted to Joel Lautenschleger after citizens expressed so much discontent with the City Manager's 2008 bonus of $32,000 which consisted of $23,000 plus $9000 in additional vacation days. Also Council Member Craig Scott was running for re-election in 2010 which is when the announcement of the 2009 bonus is made.

An excerpt from: Executive Law Group - www.execlaw.com R. Craig Scott - may help explain Council Member Craig Scott's apparent lack of accountability to Laguna Hills taxpayers : "... Mr. Scott understands how employers typically deal with executives' employment issues. And from that understanding, he has developed techniques and strategies to assist executives to cut the best deals possible, whether they are moving into, or out of, an employment situation. "

In June of 2009, Council Member Craig Scott also voted against requiring City Council Approval for the City Manager to give annual staff raises & bonuses.

Incumbent Craig Scott's Statement - Her stated objective in running for City Council is to "remove from the Council all males over the age of 50." We're appalled by this discriminatory and divisive statement. Ugly politics have no place in Laguna Hills, and must not be allowed to take over our fine city." My Response - "No, I am in favor of removing all incumbents. Unfortunately, only three are running for reelection. Again." - Westy

07/13/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
4 Members were present, Council Member Melody Carruth was absent

Special Announcement - Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council Initiative (Term Limits campaign ID # 1323046) qualified for the November 2010 Ballot.. See details in the OC Register Newspaper http://www.ocregister.com/news/council-255733-signatures-ballot.html

A Comedy Night "Totally Laughable" Fund Raiser for Barbara Kogerman, Candidate for City Council in 2010, will be held at the Hills Hotel in Laguna Hills on August 27th at 7 pm - $20 per person includes a pasta meal. Contact Barbara Kogerman with any donations for a possible Silent Auction at 949-586-5552.

PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – 15 year Anniversary Award for City Engineer and Public Services Director Ken Rosenfield, from Mayor Bressette, who stated Ken actually started 18 years ago as a consultant City Traffic Engineer. Ken has a BS degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Irvine an MBA from UC Riverside and became a Registered Professional Engineer in 1981. Congratulations, Ken!

LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT by Mike Spain will begin in Sept. 2010

PUBLIC COMMENTS - Brabara Kogerman, Laguna Hills Candidate for City Council stated she had been denied the chance to speak at the June 22, City Council Meeting, and was later told by the Mayor that her comments were not important. She said she wanted to comment about the increase in fees to citizens from CR&R trash collection in Laguna Hills without any prior notice to citizens. She asked why this citizen issue had not been discussed at any City Council Meetings and options examined to prevent any undue rise in rates. She noted that the CR&R contract spells out a formula for annual rate adjustments and the city knew about this in April or May, but nothing was done for individual citizens or businesses. She also noted that CR&R pays a franchise fee of $250,000 to our city every year and perhaps something could have been negotiated related to a decrease in the franchise fee in favor of lower rates for citizens. There was no response from the city.

Laura Dickson, Laguna Hills Citizen, stated she lives in the Aliso Hills area and has noted an increasing number of trucks, fencing and building materials are collecting on the corner of Aliso Hills and Alicia. Contractor trucks are also parked overnight on the streets of the neighborhood. She suggested that maybe the trucks could be parked at City Hall overnight where they could be overseen by the police to prevent vandalism, etc. Mayor Bressette, who said he lives in the same area stated he agreed with Laura's observations and commented that the area in question is scheduled to become a park in about 2 years.
Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer and Public Services Director responded the city is refurbishing the soccer fields at the Community Center now and trucks should leave once that job is completed. He said he would take a look at the trucks parked on the streets an see if the city could do some screening of that area for the residents.

Mr. Atwall, Laguna Hills Business Owner since 1998, stated his business is a 7/11 Store near the corner of Ridge Route and Moulton that cannot be seen from the street. In that area the road is being widened and the sign for his businesses was removed. He said he was told to come here and ask for an exemption for a temporary sign and estimates he has lost $56,000 in revenue to date due to loss of a sign for his business. Mayor Bressette asked if the city could help with a temporary banner or sign for all the businesses in that area. Vern Jones, Community Development Director stated - he might be able to put a banner on the building.

Vivian Stapleton, Recreation Music Class Instructor for 17 years in numerous cities stated she teaches classes for children and the city's recent $10 non resident fee increase for contract instructor led classes has created a hardship for her clients and has impacted her enrollment. She asked if those fee increases could be reduced to $5 for any set of classes that are under $100 or $5 for Early Childhood Classes. She said most surrounding cities have no fee or only $5 for non residents. David Reynolds, Deputy City Manager stated the city pays for Instructor's insurance, advertising in "City Views", and facility expense. He explained if there is a dip in participation that will be addressed, but most people who complain continue to pay. He said agreed with Vivian that this rate hike was too high for a 1 day class so the city reduced the fee from $10 to $2 for one day classes.

MINUTES - Recommendation that the City Council Approve the Minutes of the previous, City Council meeting for publication on the city web site. The Minutes from tonight's meeting will not be approved for publication on the city web site until the next City Council Meeting. *Editor's Note - Citizens can find current as well as historical information from Laguna Hills City Council Meetings on the Laguna Hills Watch Dog site at: http://lhwatchdog.blogspot.com

CONSENT CALENDAR *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole, with no public discussion, unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )

Item 4.2 - Warrant Register = $948,453.67
Includes the following items of interest: Additional $20,082.43 in fees for Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon Event - $56.00 to Clark County School District, $255.00 to American Shield Private Security (in Garden Grove), $433.17 to Bear Communications Inc.(in Pittsburgh),$1,452.59, C&D Electric (in Anaheim), $13,500.00 to Pacific Traffic Control (in Los Angeles), l, $125.00 to Pack, Dwayne (?), $2,880.00 to Renegade Racing (in Irvine), $416.00 to Saddleback Valley Unified, $214.67 to Waltco Promotions (in Los Angeles), and $750.00 to South Coast Outreach for Share of Proceeds+160 lbs of canned goods.

Editor's Note - There was no Public Discussion at any city council meeting of the city's funding for its 4th of July Celebration this year, On April 27, 2010 the Consent Calendar stated the "Fiscal Impact to the City was $52,324 including the cost of the fireworks which is $23,500."

Item 4.4 - School Crossing Guard Agreement - City has contract with All City Management Services for 6 Crossing guards at 5 locations. Fiscal Impact to the city is $64,809. Staff Recommendation - Authorize the Agreement for 2010-2011

Item 4.5 - Delegation of authority to the City Manager to act on behalf of the City of Laguna Hills pertaining to the City's Worker's Compensation Excess Insurance. In Nov. of 2005 the City Council authorized a self-funded Worker's Compensation Program for the city. City is self insured for the 1st $125,000 in losses and is a member of CSAC Excess Ins. Authority to cover additional losses. Staff Recommendation - Delegate Authority to the City Manager.

Item 4.8 - Cooperative Agreement for South OC Watershed Management Area - This formalizes a partnership between the County, Cities, Water and Wastewater Agencies to collectively and regionally plan for water related projects. Staff Recommendation - Approve the agreement

Item 4.9 - Civic Center Budget - Rental income decreased from Estimated Actuals (EAs) of $1,187,290 in 2009-10 to Proposed Budget (PB) of $1,118,889 for 2010-11. Net income decreased from EAs of $222,651 in 2009-10 to PB of $124,711 for 2010-11. Capital Project - $65,000 needed to replace HVAC Units and a Cooling Tower.
Staff Recommendation - Approve the Budget

Item 4.10 - 2010 Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon & 5K Event Report - Staff Report states the city actually cleared $3,296.00 with total Expenses of $127,405.00 and Revenues of $130,701. The city also reported the number of Laguna Hills Participants in this 2010 event = 192. There were 193 from Mission Viejo and 187 participants from Aliso Viejo. City Staff credits their success this year to a reduction in expenditures and increased sponsorship revenues. Staff said this event helps the city's businesses by people being here shopping and dining and a total of 12 rooms were booked at hotels in Laguna Hills for this one day event.

Editor's Note - The big winner among the companies paid by the city for this event was Renegade Racing, in Irvine, with at least $34,058.35 as their share of the pot for Event Management. We found no Laguna Hills businesses that were paid?

In Oct. of 2009 The Parks and Recreations Commission asked Laguna Hills Community Services Superintendent Dan Meehan how many of the runners in the Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon Event, that lost money for the city, were Laguna Hills Citizens. Dan Meehan stated he did not know but would get back to them. He was also asked why Saddleback Hospital pulled out of sponsoring this event and said that was due to past financial losses of up to $35,000 in 2007. The City of Laguna Hills reported that it expected to lose $10,000 on the 2010 event.

The city is now answering questions we and City Parks and Rec. have been asking since last year. In 2008 this event lost $7,390 for the city, in 2009 it lost $11,626, this year it reported that it made $3,296 and 192 Laguna Hills Citizens participated.
Pros are - The city did not lose money for the 1st time this year & made $3,296.00, 192 Laguna Hills citizens participated, Some participants may have eaten and/or shopped in the city and 12 hotel rooms were reportedly rented for this 1 day event in the City of Laguna Hills. $750.00 went to South Coast Outreach + 160 lbs of canned goods.
Cons are - The "MEMORIAL" aspect of Memorial Day was ignored by the city, this is the 12th Annual City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon 5K Event and less than 1% of Laguna Hills citizens are participating in it, there is some inconvenience to citizens of closed streets and the congestion of a reported 2,600 people at the site of the event, no payments were noted to have been made to any Laguna Hills businesses for this event, but we could have missed something in the reports.
Question for the citizens of Laguna Hills - Is there value for Laguna Hills citizens and businesses in continuing this annual event in Laguna Hills?

Item 4.12 - Contract with County of Orange for Community Development Block Grants for 2010-11. For 2010-11 The City of Laguna Hills has been tentatively awarded $200,000 for Aliso Meadows Condos, a 248 unit pre-fab condo project, Phase 7 in the Via Lomas area. Staff has annually applied for block grants to assist in rehabilitating this area at the rate of about 10 to 20 units per year. Staff Recommendation - Approve a contract with the County of Orange for the Block Grants.

ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - Mayor Bressette pulled 3 Items: 4.4 (above), 4.7 (Avenida De La Carlotta road widening) and 4.10 (above)
VOTE - Balance of the Consent Calendar Passed 4 - 0

Mayor Bressette asked if there was an raise in salary for the school crossing guards and was told there was a 50 cent raise only for those who had been recently certified. Mayor Bressette gave the staff a chance to talk about not losing money this year at the Memorial Day Event. Dan Meehan stated that Saddleback Hospital donated $15,000 this year vs. $10,000 last year and the city found better buys on products needed for the event. Mayor Bressette recused himself from Item 4.7 due to a client relationship. VOTE - Items 4.4 and 4.10 were then passed 4-0 and Item 4.7 was passed 3 - 0.

** See more details for most of the Items noted in the Consent Calendar on the city web site at www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us under City Council Agendas, the Date of the City Council Meeting and the Item # on the agenda. If you want to see details of these things Look Quickly, because they are removed from the web site shortly after city council meetings.

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS - Item 5.1 - Confirmation of Weed Abatement Cost Report. Staff Report says 3 properties did not comply after notification so the city was forced to remove their weeds. Fiscal Impact to the city - for the 3 properties was $1,341.77. Staff Recommendation - Adopt Resolution confirming the 2010 Weed abatement Cost Report & provide for the collection of assessments on the next regular tax bills levied against subject parcels. There were no Public Comments. VOTE - Passed 4-0

PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 5.3 - A request from Farmers and Merchants Bank to make parking lot modifications on the properties at 24300 & 24302 Paseo De Valencia including spike strips at ingress and vehicular access gates with key code boxes at egress points in an effort to restrict free parking to the patrons of the bank only. Vern Jones, Community Development Director, stated the bank will allow for entry into the parking lost and will then give code #s to clients, while they are inside the bank, to allow them to exit the parking lot. Codes will probably change weekly. Staff Recommendation - Approve the request. VOTE - Passed 4 - 0

Item 5.4 - Preliminary Application to make storefront, parking lot, landscape and sign modifications to the building site currently occupied by Furniture Direct at 23251 Avenida De La Carlota. Staff Recommendation - Receive presentation, approve design in concept only and refer to staff for processing. VOTE - Passed 4 - 0

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Item 6.2 A City Clerk - Certification of Results of Initiative Petition Signatures for Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council
Editor's Note - It should be clarified here that the certification letter from the County Registrar explained: Number of signatures filed was 2,961. Number Required was 1,935. Number of signatures verified was 2,220. Number of Signatures found valid 2,036. Number of signatures found invalid was 184 of which 27 were duplicates. The Registrar's office stopped counting signatures after 2,036 signatures were found to be valid because there was no need to continue the count once the minimum number of signatures were certified and each signature verified cost the city $3.40.

Staff Recommendation - Adopt a Resolution calling and giving notice of the holding of the election on November 2, 2010 for the purpose of submitting this Term Limits Ballot Initiative, also set priorities for filing ballot arguments and an impartial analysis from the city attorney, requesting the Election Dept. to canvass election returns and request the County Board of Supervisors to consolidate a General Municipal Election.

Greg Simonian, City Attorney, stated the Initiative qualifies for the ballot, the proposed Resolution calls the election, sets priorities for ballot arguments and takes other actions pertaining to the election.

Public Comments - Barbara Kogerman, Candidate for Laguna Hills City Council stated this is a milestone for the citizens of Laguna Hills who will now have the right to vote yes or no for City Council Term Limits. She said it was her privilege to chair this grass roots movement and the signature gatherers achieved a 92% validity rate because this was a door to door grass roots effort. The facts resonated with the voters who want to eliminate ineffective policies such as the council's willingness to compensate our City Manager more than any other City Manager in Orange County. People want greater transparency in how our city is run and they want to have a voice in those decisions. The people don't want the same people using the benefits of office to stay in power indefinitely. The people of Laguna Hills want, what 60% of other cities in Orange County have, fresh ideas, new practices, and room for someone new to be elected to the council at least every 8 years. She ended by saying it's a privilege to share this important point in our city's history with volunteers, the city staff and the city attorney and thanked them all for all their hard work.

Michael Bland - 28 year Laguna Hills Resident, stated a city council member had stated he had heard Term Limits' signature gatherers had been giving false and misleading information, so he wanted the council to know what he said and citizen's comments to him. He said he, his wife and other volunteers went house to house for 18 weeks starting in North Laguna Hills and moving South through all the neighborhoods except Falcon Hill, which is a locked gated community. He said they used walking sheets that showed addresses of Registered Voters so that was probably why the validity rate of signatures was so high. He stated he always identified himself by name and as a volunteer citizen of Laguna Hills collecting signatures for Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council. Frequent comments/questions from residents were, "We don't have term limits now?", "I'm for Term Limits for all politicians," and "Tell me about our city government?" Four people said they weren't interested. One neighbor said," I won't sign because I like the council people". He said five people asked if he was running for council and others said they had issues with the council so wanted to sign. Many were not aware of any issues so he gave them sheets with headlines and web addresses for numerous articles in the Orange County Register Newspaper including information about the City Manager's total compensation package being the largest in Orange County. Ten citizens asked him to name all 5 city council members. Most everyone thanked him for taking his time to do this for the city. He concluded that although this was a lot of work it was also a lot of fun meeting great people. It was a true grass roots effort and from what he learned people do want it.

William Enholm, Laguna Hills Resident, said he works near Chino and there's nothing like driving through there every day to make one appreciate Laguna Hills more, so maybe the council's doing a better job than they get credit for, at least in that area. He said he knew that Term Limits was as popular with incumbents as Thanksgiving is with turkeys so he appreciated their patience, but added it's a great day for those who favor term limits. He thanked the staff, city council, city attorney and city clerk for their cooperation. He said it was great to be treated fairly since we are not professionals but a grass roots effort. He concluded that this effort showed Barbara Kogerman's ability to lead, offered his congratulations to the people and said he looks forward to seeing this on the ballot.

Council Member Allan Songstad stated, "Obviously we will find out what the people of Laguna Hills want to do in November and obviously that'll be the law of the city and I'm fine with what they decide even though I have views about what I think is good public policy and what's bad public policy. It should be noted though that only 18% of the cities statewide have term limits. In that sense Orange County's kind of an anomaly. We have a lot more cities in Orange County than we do state wide that have term limits. I'm not sure why that is. What I would like to see though is that accurate information is disseminated by all sides. I've heard several comments tonight about the compensation of the City Manager. Um, uh, That is just grossly inaccurate. Um, it includes the full price of a city owned car in his compensation in here and many, many other mistakes and inaccuracies. That is not the way to win an election. Integrity is the way to win an election and that's where I hope this debate is going to be, is on the merits of term limits, what has this council done? What has the city done? How's the city been run since incorporation? Have we benefited, have we not? And, maybe people will say no we haven't, but there's just inaccurate statements like the city manager's compensation, the part about Mr. Channing being able to give an 11% raise without city council approval. Those are just plain false. That's just false and an election shouldn't be won on falsehoods. It needs to be won on truth. If you can't win it on truth you don't deserve to win." ...... (He went on to say term limits won't affect him for 12 years so he had nothing to lose) ....then continued with, "Let's lay the facts out there and let the voter's decide, let's not put false statements out there and mislead people into believing things that aren't true."

Editor's Note - 1 - Before a member of the city council speaks to citizens about "accurate information, truth and honesty," that member needs to be sure the information the city provides is correct because all the information for the comparisons of the Total Compensations of all City Managers in Orange County, came directly from the cities. 2 cities (Huntington Beach & Newport Beach) did correct some of their information and their corrections were published, but the Laguna Hills City Manager still remains clearly on top with the highest Total Compensation in all of Orange County from the 7th smallest city. If Council Member Songstad believes the financial reporting information from the city of Laguna Hills was faulty he needs to take responsibility to supply corrected documentation, so we will all know. It's that simple. We completely agree with "... let's not put false statements out there and mislead people into believing things that aren't true."

Editor's Note - 2 - Resolution No, 2007-06-12-2 signed by Mayor, Joel Lautenschleger on June 23, 2009. **Anyone can request a copy of this resolution from City Hall. This resolution states: Paqe 2 - "The City Manager, at his discretion, may grant up to a 5% salary adjustment for meritorious performance to any employee who has reached the top pay range in their position. The City Manager, at his discretion, may grant up to a 6% increase in salary adjustments and cost of living increases to all employee positions effective July 1, 2008."
Page 6 - C. - "The City Manager is authorized to create and administer a Management Incentive Program for management employees for outstanding performance ranging from 0 - 10% of annual salary at the end of each calendar year."

Additionally Notes from the Laguna Hills Watch Dog's recording of the June 23, 2009, Laguna Hills City Council Meeting state the following:

City Council Member Melody Carruth unleashed a firestorm by asking if there were any guidelines for the City Manager's bonus program for the city staff. Funds for this program were established to be between about $75, 000 and $85,000 per the city manager and the assistant city manager. City Council Member Melody Carruth asked if the words "with the approval of the city council" could be added to the words "at the city manager's discretion" in the interest of transparency and check and balances, especially in times like this when many cities are looking at every benefit and the public expects transparency. Melody noted that there was no requirement now for the city council to even be advised of this expenditure. She also asked about the car allowances and mileage reimbursement for staff and if there were any guidelines or requirements for these and would he give the city council a set of the guidelines.

City Council Member Randy Bressette suggested that language be added to "at the city manager's discretion" stating that a report be given to the City Council regarding salary increases and bonuses, etc. rather than adding that the city council must approve the city manager's discretion because the Council is very interested in assuring that staff is adequately compensated.

City Council Member Craig Scott said he was very strongly opposed to comments in the motion because they intrude inappropriately on the city manager's authority. If we don't like the way he's doing this we ought to change the city manager but we ought not to undermine his discretion. When we charged him to make these decisions I think it's inappropriate to then require that there be a public report or that he justify in some way the exercise of his discretion. He stated that in many cities it is part of the city code that the city council cannot intrude in the way that has been suggested by the comments and by the impending motion.

City Council Member Allan Songstad said he saw no reason for any report from the city manager.

Mayor Joel Lautenschleger said this is how we have been doing business for 18 years, Channing has the authority and no need to invade. This is superfluous.

Vote was taken on motion for additional language to be added to City Manager's discretion and the motion failed 3 to 2. Scott, Lautenschleger and Songstad voted NO, Carruth and Bressette voted Yes.

FACTS: The information for the study of the Total Compensation of each of the Orange County City Managers was originally requested by Barbara Kogerman who is a candidate for city council. All of the information for this entire report came directly from the cities. The information was compiled, researched and compared by an independent group of graduate students from Brandman/Chapman and Pepperdine Universities under the direction of a University Professor, Dr. Smoller from the Brandman University Master of Public Administration Program. (We, at the LH Watch Dog, don't know Professor Smoller personally but found that you can google information about him at: www.brandman.edu/CSL/smoller.pdf .) The graduate students were asked to research the Total Compensation, including cars, for all city managers and their results were reviewed by the OC Watchdog staff of the Orange County Register Newspaper before they were published. The OC Watchdog staff has continued to take input from OC cities on this issue. Please judge for yourself by going to the following story from the Orange County Register and clicking on "Laguna Hills response" for the Raw Data given by the City of Laguna Hills at: http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/controversial-city-comp-report-now-online/57357/ - Controversial city manager compensation report now online - "Are the numbers fair? We’ve been counseled (by one straight-shooting city manager) to be wary of the numbers at both the very high and very low ends of the benefits scale. Bruce Channing of Laguna Hills comes out as No. 1 in compensation — at $460,809 — partly because the cost of his city-purchased car was included in the tally in one lump (nearly $60,000 right there). He’d still be in the lead, however, even if one completely eliminated the cost of the car. (Here are the numbers, directly from the city: Laguna Hills response.)"

Response to Council Member Songstad From Laguna Hills Citizen James Vaughn, Prior Member of Nellie Gail Ranch HOA Board of Directors and Term Limits signature gatherer - "We are neighbors who were talking to neighbors, sharing information we got from the city itself. It's funny how they say the facts are lies without offering any facts of their own to refute them. For a sitting councilman to call citizens liars for sharing information that came from the city he claims to lead, demonstrates either how out of touch he is or how incredibly arrogant he is. Either is reason in and of itself why we need term limits. Councilman Songstad and the other incumbents need to recognize that the citizens have spoken up and they can either fight us or join us. Looks like they have chosen to fight the community rather than lead them."

Response to Council Member Songstad From Laguna Hills Citizen Mike Bland, Businessman, Term Limits Signature gatherer and husband of the LH Watch Dog Publisher - We, as citizens, have a responsibility to question what our elected officials are doing with our tax dollars. We need to seek the facts and take a informed stance, if necessary. Too many of us have supported council members without fully understanding the issues and the ramifications of the council's actions.

Response to Council Member Songstad From Bill Kogerman, Laguna Hills Resident, Leader of the grass roots campaign against the proposed El Toro Airport and husband of City Council Candidate Barbara Kogerman - I was astounded by Songstad's unwarranted attack on the credibility of the City Manager's Compensation Report's revelations that the Laguna Hills City Manager is the highest paid City Manager in the County. Songstad and his council majority have allowed this financial disgrace to occur. It's their legacy by omission or commission. Either they didn't know what they were doing (Asleep at the Switch) or they played cozy with taxpayers' money (Bait Us and Switch). There's nothing in Songstad's rantings that demonstrates the city council majority acted prudently. It's one thing for Songstad to puff up his chest on the dais and pontificate without providing any clarity on baseless allegations and another to discuss the Report's conclusions honestly in an open debate. It is his style to deflect the responsibility for the financial transgressions of Councilman Scott, because Scott's running for an extended 24 year City Council Career while Songstad circles the wagons in the incumbent majority's defense. Songstad needs to try to right the City's wrongs and let Scott's own inexcusable diatribe resonate with our residents.

Mayor Bressette - Thanked the citizens who went door to door. He said he felt the language in the Term Limits should have been stronger and a spending limitation should have been included, but he agreed that the signature gatherers met some of the nicest people in the world while gathering signatures.
VOTE - Passed 4 - 0

Item 6.2 B - Designation of Voting Delegate for League of CA. Cities Annual Conference. Mayor Randal Bressette was designated as the delegate and Council Member Allan Songstad was designated as the alternate .

Item 6.3 - Park Playground Renovations at Costeau Park and Community Sports Complex Playground Fiscal Impact to the city $185,000 for Costeau Park and $305,000 for the Sports Complex Playground. Construction to be in late Fall of 2010 and to include rubber safety surfacing in play areas, Shelter over sand play area & Replacements of benches and tables. A detailed presentation given by the Project Landscape Architect with overhead pictures.

Public Comments - Nichole Wyckoff, Laguna Hills Citizen speaking for neighbors and children, stated her thanks to the city for taking comments from the citizens. She said the ground resurfacing will be great. Play structures, other than the ones shown here, that are much better and more engaging are available. There is more available for younger kids than mainly climbing. Need more than one bench in the parks. Larger trees are good for shade but need to be inspected, because one recently dropped a very large branch that could have endangered a child.
Staff Recommendation - Approve the preferred plan for resurfacing of the playgrounds. VOTE - Passed 4 - 0

MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Mayor Randal Bressette thanked city staff for their work on the 4th of July Celebration and said resident non profit groups did very well selling food and drinks. Mayor Bressette visited a Junior Build A Fort event and noted that the kids were having a lot of fun and said he proudly gave Certificates of Recognition to 3 Laguna Hills Eagle Scouts recently. City Council will be on Vacation until August 24, 2010.

CLOSED SESSION - None
====================================
For "CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD" *** Update - go to OCREGISTER: Crime in your neighborhood - http://www.ocregister.com/news/reported-257761-block-road.html Also: www.ocregister.com/saddleback scroll down to "Local Maps" move the map to your area, and click on the crime icons for details that show calls to the OC Sheriff's Department. You can also see stats for Crime in Lake Forest & Laguna Hills on Fridays in the Saddleback Valley News that is delivered to our area. There is also more information at www.ocsd.org (the OC Sheriff's Dept.) click on "E-Services" for the pull down menu, next click on "Sheriff's Blotter" then click "Laguna Hills" for the 7 or 30 day view.

Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -

Many inquiries have been received asking: Are the expensive Medical Benefits for our part time Laguna Hills City Council Members life long as they were in Mission Viejo?

Long term incumbents have a lot in common with alcoholics. Both claim they can quit anytime they want but can never come up with a reason why they should. Keen Observer
I collected signatures for Term Limits and wanted to share the stories of those who claimed they were afraid of what certain incumbents would do if they found out their family had signed the petition. And a woman who said at first that the fact that she hadn't heard anything bad about the council for twenty years seemed ok, but then she realized she hadn't heard anything good either and reached for the petition to sign. James

Watching the signs and the median projects take place over the past few years I repeatedly thought to myself "My, Laguna Hills must have money to burn.... this seems so unnecessary and such a waste of money." Although I had driven by the Civic Center many times, I had occasion to go inside the other day and it took my breath away. It is luxurious and it was obvious to me that no expense had been spared in the architectural design and construction and in the interior design and decor. When I put that together with what I have been reading in the Watchdog lately, and the articles in the OC Register regarding the City Manager's Salary, SUV, full benefits for part-time employees I was angry and incensed. Angry in Laguna Hills

How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills
OCREGISTER: Marines given royal sendoff by Mariners Church
http://www.ocregister.com/news/mariners-255221-families-regiment.html - Thankfully the Mariner's Church has come through in helping the 3/5 Marines that the City of Laguna Hills took credit for adopting and then apparently abandoned. This article says the 3/5 will be going back to Afghanistan in September. - Council Member Melody Carruth told us - If you want to serve on a new Support Committee for the Adopted Marine Division and/or make a contribution contact Richard Nagle at rnagle74@cox.net
Editor's Note - Correction to a date error in the 6/22/10 Laguna Hills Watch Dog. We said that on August 25, 2009 Council Member Craig Scott made comments about the 3/5 Marines. That date should have been November 24, 2009 and his recorded comments were: Council Member Craig Scott stated, "There was an article in the Register within the last week where it was reported, by the reporter, the city was trying to reconstitute the 3/5 Support Committee. I raise the issue with staff because we have taken, as I understand the council's action, a very clear position that there will be a no support by this council. No official city support for the 3/5 Committee. Now the reasons for that go back a long time so I don't propose to recurse all of that, but it is not, let me just state it this way, if we are to be consistent with the council's decisions in the past, my understanding is that we should not be about reconstituting and it is not appropriate to use city resources to further the work that could be done by the committee if the committee chooses to. Uh, very frankly I hope Mrs. Carruth has not been suggesting, as a member of the council, that she's speaking for the city on these matters, because that would be contrary to our adopted position. So I don't favor her taking the action that has been suggested and I think we need to remember that we have drawn, what understand to be a very clear line. The city will not sponsor, the city will not devote assets, the city will not give the resources of our staff's time and energy to efforts that ought to be coming from the committee, if at all. That's not a judgement we should be making. The committee can do what the committee wants to do but we ought to be in a hands off position from an official city standpoint."

OC Register News Stories & blogs about Laguna Hills

Is a city manager worth $800,000?
www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bell-salary-20100715,0,7352605.story

Series of News Stories in OC Register online about Orange County's City Manager's salaries The most highly compensated City Manager in Orange County is from one of the smallest cities - Laguna Hills - at $460,809.00 (or even at $400,809.00 without the new car he is the highest paid city manager in all of Orange County). In a City of only about 34,000, he has a full time staff of only 27 to manage including himself, his Assistant City Manager & his Deputy City Manager.

Editorial in the Orange County Register on Friday, May 21, 2010 - Managing some big pay packages begins with "If you require a fresh source of indignation over public employees' perks, look no further than Laguna Hills,"..... Go to: http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/compensation-249743-city-public.html

Go to: http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/top-city-manager-compensation-460809-report-says/57287/ -Top city manager compensation: $460,809, report says

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/controversial-city-comp-report-now-online/57357/ - Controversial city manager compensation report now online

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/20/average-pay-for-big-city-city-managers-292651/57549/ - Average pay for big-city city managers: $292,651

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/21/mid-sized-city-manager-compensation-272573/57643/ - Midsized city manager compensation: $272,573

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/22/small-city-managers-average-pay-262196/57737/ - Small city managers average pay: $262,196

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/26/frustration-lack-of-transparency-mar-quest-for-city-pay-data/57991/ Frustration, lack of transparency mar quest for city pay data

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/06/01/prof-defends-students-study-in-wake-of-city-manager-attacks/58291/ Prof defends students, study, in wake of city manager attacks

Huntington Beach exec gets $200,000 ‘forgivable loan’ - OC Watchdog : The Orange County Register Check out Huntington Beach exec gets $200,000 ‘forgivable loan’ - OC Watchdog

http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-251558-manager-channing.html
Laguna Hills defends city manager pay increases

http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-251580-council-kogerman.html
OCREGISTER: Kogerman submits term limit initiative

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/06/04/city-manager-strikes-back-you-want-this-job/58423/ - City manager strikes back: YOU want this job?!

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.
Council Member Craig Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a course or progress through life, or a distinct portion of life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Council Member 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 has achieved Career Bureaucrat status and he achieved that without Term Limits. Congratulations Mr. Scott!

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? Council Member Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) Born in Kansas in 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 a summer trip to visit her family in Southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. They 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 in the lobby at City Hall!

June 10, 2008 - Mayor Allan Songstad said "We have to go through a bidding process and sometimes the low bidder is not always the best contractor, but sometimes that's what we're stuck with."
Thank you Council Member Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking " the residents with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 19 years.

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 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 19 years)

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

August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Alan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus August 19, 1994LYNN FRANEY - Laguna Hills Councilman Declines to Run for Reelection With Councilman L. Allan Songstad Jr. declining to run for reelection, at least one newcomer will gain a seat on the City Council this fall. Songstad said he never intended to run for a second council term and that he is not a "career politician." That leaves space for at least one of the challengers, Cindy Greengold, Saeid Hariri, Grant R. Marcus or Charmane Riggs.
Now, in 2010 with 18 years on the Laguna Hills City Council we are guessing Council Member Songstad has changed his mind about being not being a "career politician".

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

06/22/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All Members were present

PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – Mayor Randal Bressette announced that this meeting was dedicated to the memory of Sheriff's Deputy Steven Parsons, who was killed in the line of duty 10 years ago on June 24, 2000 at the age of 36, after being involved in a traffic collision in the City of Laguna Hills while on motorcycle patrol. On October 27, 1995, he was assigned to the city of Laguna Hills and became the 1st motorcycle patrolman. Mayor Bresette also announced that CA. Hwy. Patrol Officer Phillip Ortiz, who was injured in a highway collision June 9, died this evening. He was honored with a moment of silence.
http://www.ocsd.org/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=486&Itemid=601
- for more information about Deputy Steven Parsons.
Our Laguna Hills Sheriff's Deputies who still working hard to keep us safe in Laguna Hills. http://www.ocregister.com/news/doan-254252-patrols-cars.html
OCREGISTER: DUI patrols net 6 motorists, tow 10 cars

LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT by Mike Spain will begin in Sept. 2010

PUBLIC COMMENTS - 5 comments. 4 from patients and 1 from a Medical Marijuana Dispensary business owner who stated that on June 18, 2010 Medical Marijuana dispensaries in Laguna Hills received 10 day notices from the city to close their doors related to zoning law violations. All speakers asked for re-consideration by the City. This action from the City of Laguna Hills followed similar action from Lake Forest. See more at http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-254684-dispensary-dispensaries.html OCREGISTER: Laguna Hills orders marijuana dispensaries to close

MINUTES - Recommendation that the City Council Approve the Minutes of the previous, City Council meeting for publication on the city web site. The Minutes from tonight's meeting will not be approved for publication on the city web site until the next City Council Meeting. *Editor's Note - Citizens can find current as well as historical information from Laguna Hills City Council Meetings on the Laguna Hills Watch Dog site at: http://lhwatchdog.blogspot.com

CONSENT CALENDAR *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole, with no public discussion, unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
Item 4.2 - Warrant Register = $948,453.67 Includes the following items of interest: An additional $47,346.65 in expenses for the City's Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon and 5K Event: $421.88 to Balloons Sound Great, $3,273.31 to Diamond Environmental Services, $12,288.09 to Waltco Promotions, $4,520.80 to Big Top Rentals, $1,000 to Doctor's Ambulance Service, $622.91 to Electric City Printing Company, $250.00 to Joe Donaldson Designs, $812.49 to the LA Times Newspaper, $13,058.35 to Renegade Racing, $400.00 to Konrad Ribeiro, $2,704.08 to The Active Network, $7,994.74 to Time Management.
*Editor's Note - We are still waiting to hear publicly how many Laguna Hills Citizens participate in this event each year and why the city continues to lose money on it every year. A $10,000 loss was predicted by the City for this year's event.
$2,237.22 to Faubel Public Affairs for Summer 2010 "City Views"

Item 4.3 - Adoption of Annual Appropriations Limit for FY 2010-2011
Staff Report states the California Constitution places limits on the amounts of revenue that can be spent by public entities from proceeds of taxes. In 1993/94, the city's first fiscal year of operation, the voter's approved an Appropriations Limit of $9,102,336. This amount has been adjusted, by the city, annually based on population and inflation factors, etc. and is calculated by the city to be $28,115,019.00 for 2010-11. The city states that the anticipated proceeds of taxes minus the capital outlays and other qualified exclusions for this year resulted in an amount of $12,336,053.00, subject to the limit, which is below the legal limit by $15,778,965.00. The city also says that this calculation by the city is subject to an annual audit.
Staff Recommendation - Adopt a resolution adopting the appropriations limit.

Item 4.4 - Adoption of a set of Resolutions calling for the November 2, 2010 General Municipal Election and Adoption of Regulations for Candidate's Statements
The city clerk estimates that a $900.00 deposit is required for a candidate wishing to have a candidate's statement published. This amount includes translation and printing in required languages. A candidate's statement is optional. The normal procedure for distribution of candidates' statements is to include them in the Sample Ballot that is prepared and distributed by the OC Registrar of Voters. A candidate's statement shall not include party affiliation and may include name, age, occupation and a brief description of no more than 200 words setting forth the candidate's education and qualifications, expressed by the candidate. There can be no reference to other candidates and this must be submitted on a form provided by the city clerk in typewritten form at the time the candidate's nomination papers are filed. Resolution #94-07-12-1 provides for a special election for elective offices in the event of a tie vote. **Registered Voters may nominate Candidates between July 12, 2010 at 8 AM and August 6, 2010 at 5 PM. 3 City Council Seats are to be filled in 2010.

Staff Recommendation - Adopt a Resolution giving notice of a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Adopt a Resolution requesting the County Board of Supervisors to consolidate a General Municipal Election to be held on the same date Nov. 2, 2010. Adopt a Resolution adopting regulations for statements of candidates for elective office to be submitted to the voters at the Nov. 2, 2010 election.
Fiscal impact to the city - Approximately $32,355.00

Item 4.10 - Request for Letter of Support for So. OC Wastewater Authority & So. Coast Water District's Petition to the State Water Resources Control Board for changes to the 2006 Permit Requirements for Groundwater Recovery Facilities.
Staff Report states the So. OC Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) and the South Coast Water District (SCWD) are requesting support for their appeal to the State Water Resources Control Board because a 2006 change in their permit to operate their Dana Point Facility significantly impacts their ability to operate the system cost effectively. Background - In the process of producing about 264 million gallons of treated groundwater annually the SCWD Groundwater Recovery Facility removes about 290 pounds of brine from brackish groundwater on a daily basis. This brine and the treated effluent from the wastewater treatment is discharged into San Juan Creek which empties into the Pacific Ocean. The original discharge permit measured the Total Suspended Solids where the discharge emptied into the ocean, but in 2006 the permit was revised to to measure the Total Suspended Solids at the point of discharge into San Juan Creek. The report states that the wastewater treatment process, that was revised to support the 2006 permit diverted brine, discharged to the Treatment Plant in Dana Point for additional treatment and in so doing increased the salinity of water treated at the Dana Point plant which compromises its ability to produce high quality recycled water cost effectively.
Staff Recommendation - Support the petition.
*Editor's note - None of the city council members questioned for themselves or for the public why the Water District is complaining now, in 2010, when it is challenging a 2006 rule change?

ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - NONE

VOTE - Consent Calendar Passed 5 - 0 without comment.

** See more details for most of the Items noted in the Consent Calendar on the city web site at www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us under City Council Agendas, the Date of the City Council Meeting and the Item # on the agenda.

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE

PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS - No public hearing. The city manager reported that the League of Cities petition to preserve city funds from being taken by the State qualified for the November Ballot.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Item 6.2A - Dial a Taxi Transportation Program for Seniors

Staff Report states Staff worked with the City of Mission Viejo and CA. Yellow Cab (CYC) to establish a Senior Dial-a-Taxi Program servicing both Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills in a combined contract. CA. Yellow Cab agreed to a rate of $15 per trip for a 2 year period, regardless of length, but within the "service area" which is the combined city limits of Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills, beginning Aug. 1, 2010. Satellite service will be extended to 2 destinations - South Coast Orthopedic Specialists in Laguna Woods and Irvine Transportation Center in Irvine for the existing One Way Price of $5 for the Customer and $10 billable to the city. Tipping is not required, but encouraged if there is 2nd stop service, travel to satellite destinations or extra driver assistance. There are no restrictions on the number of uses per month. After the 2 year contract CYC agreed to two one year contract renewal options. Deputy City Manger David Reynolds stated in response to a questions from Mayor Bressette that trips to the OC (John Wayne) Airport are not included in this service, but that need will be assessed for possible future inclusion.

Staff states they arranged a cooperative agreement between the City and OCTA for use of their Senior Mobility Program as the funding mechanism for the City of Laguna Hills Senior Dial-a-Taxi Program. Staff anticipates no general fund money to be used to fund the new taxi service. Staff says OCTA will fund 80% of the Program costs and the city is required to match 20%, but staff says OCTA's Senior Mobility Program funds can be used for "in kind" contributions such as staff time, materials, supplies and other expenses which can be counted against the city's 20%. The contract states, Article 3, B - "City agrees to a twenty percent (20%) match of funds provided by Authority. Local match may be made up of cash-subsidies, fare revenues or in-kind contributions."

User Policies and Services Guidelines state - the Dial-a-Taxi program will provide 7 days a week, 24 hours a day door to door taxi service to eligible, registered participants who are 80 years or older, 65 years or older and disabled, or 60 years or older with a revoked license or are unable to drive. Residents who are currently enrolled in OCTA's ACCESS Program are Not eligible for this program. Participants must have an approved application on file and be issued a Senior Dial-a-Taxi photo ID card before being authorized to participate in this program. Applications are available at the Laguna Hills Community Center (Community Center phone - (949) 707-2680) and on line at the City of Laguna Hills web site www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
**To see the entire agreement online on the City of Laguna Hills web site - go to Agendas and Minutes - City Council - Packets/Staff Reports June 22, 2010 and finally - Item 6.2A

Staff Recommendation - Approve the agreement VOTE - Passed 5 - 0

Editor's Note - This staff report says it was not until Jan. 26, 2010 that the city council directed staff to develop a taxi transportation program of citizens but "Provide Transportation Services for Seniors and Disabled Citizens" was the 2nd highest rated spending priority on the 2007 Laguna Hills City Survey. 51.5% of the citizens polled rated it as a HIGH spending priority, and 31.3% rated it as Medium. Service is now expected to begin by August of 2010. Also, if you look at page 38 of this staff report online you will see that this service has apparently been available, through OCTA, to this city since 2002 and possibly longer.

Item 6.2B - Athletic Field and Outdoor Amenity Rate Study and update of Reservation and Use Policies.

Staff Report states that the majority of the rates charged by the city fall below municipal benchmark averages as well as the costs to operate them, but staff is not proposing any increased fees for Laguna Hills Youth Sports Organizations. 83% of the Community Center and Sports Complex Athletic Field Reservation Hours in 2009 were booked by resident non-profit user groups such as AYSO Region 1422 and Laguna Hills' Little League. Approx. 91% of the 2009 gymnasium use was by Laguna Hills NJB Youth Program and other resident non-profit basketball sports groups. Staff said the Laguna Hills' Parks & Rec. Committee heard this information at their April 7, 2010 meeting and agreed with staff recommendations.

The Sports Complex Fields, Skate Park, Roller Hockey Rink, Picnic Shelter and Gazebo opened in November of 2000. Laguna Hills AYSO, Little League and a variety of other groups have utilized the soccer, softball and baseball fields. The picnic shelter and gazebo are heavily booked in the spring and summer for parties and picnics. There are very few requests for private use of the Roller Hockey Rink that is managed by the CA. Street Hockey Association, and the City of Laguna Hills only permits Skate Park reservations for the commercial rental category.

Staff says the city is not recovering the total operating costs for athletic field use with and without the use of field lights. Staff's table showing costs and income concludes that in 2009 for the city's Soccer, Softball and Baseball Fields the Total Revenue was $22,996.87, Total Operating Cost was $117,893.32 and Total Loss to the city was $94,896.45. When these amounts were combined with the 2009 revenue from the use of outdoor amenities (picnic shelters, town green and plaza and city parks) the total Operating Cost was $119,992 and Total Loss to the city was reduced to $86,828. Staff also says that in studying rates in neighboring cities rental rates in Laguna Hills for the 13 parks are below benchmark averages, and rate charged to NJB for the gymnasium is below the benchmark average.

The city does not charge the local youth sports organizations for the use of athletic fields unless field lights are used. If lights are used the cost is $15 per hour. The outdoor amenities - picnic shelters, town green and plaza, as opposed to the more costly to operate athletic fields, have nominal operating costs are recovering full costs and are generating revenue. The neighborhood parks are also covering their costs in all but the Resident Non-Profit category because the city does not charge for this category. Staff says Roller Hockey Rental Fees and Skate Park are also recovering costs.
* Editor's Note - in the City of Laguna Hills Biennial Budget Part 3, Capital Improvement Program, $1,000,000 is budgeted for "future' for Roller Hockey Roof Structure.

City Athletic Field Proposed Rate Recommendations are:
1. Rate of $15 for use of athletic field lights and free use of fields in daylight hours to remain unchanged to not-for-profit Laguna Hills Sports Organizations.
2. Increase of $5 per hour for Resident Private users at the Laguna Hills Sports Complex.
3. Increase rates charges for field use to the municipal benchmark average for the Non-Resident and Commercial Rental Categories.
4. Charge the same rate at Cabot Park. and the Community Center Sports Complex and the rate charged for the LHHS field should be $5 per hour less than the rate for the sports complexes athletic field amenities.
5. Increase fees to groups that reserve athletic fields for picnics, festivals, and other non-athletic uses.
6. Continue to charge $15 per hour per court for the gymnasium use with lights to the non-profit youth sports organizations.
7. Increase the rates for outdoor amenities and neighborhood parks that fall below the benchmark averages and charge a refundable $100 deposit for Resident non-profit users.
8. Establish a policy by which the rental rates for athletic fields and outdoor amenities will be adjusted at the start of each budget cycle - every 2 years.
9. Update the City Council Reservation and Use Policies.
Fiscal Impact to the city - Reservation Revenue increase of approx. $3,305 annually from Athletic Fields and Outdoor Amenities in addition to $76,500 recovered from the Community Center and the City Hall rental rates studies in 2009 - See more at http://www.ocregister.com/news/rates-254666-city-fields.html OCREGISTER: Cost to use athletic fields goes up
Staff Recommendation - Approve the changes VOTE - Passed 5-0
** Go to the city web site at www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us, to Agendas and Minutes - City Council, to Packets/Staff Reports June 22, 2010 and finally to Items 6.2 B and 6.2BPolicy to see all the details in this 70 + page report.

Editor's Note - At the May 26, 2009 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting Community Center Facility and Gymnasium rental rates were adjusted and an automatic adjustment to the rental rates based on inflation was established for every two years because these rates had not been adjusted for 6 years after originally being set in 2003. At that time, Mayor Joel Lautenschleger, suggested that the proceedings be taken to a "Private Session" and Council Member Randal Bressette reminded Mayor Lautenschleger that this was a "PUBLIC" HEARING. At the November 10, 2009 LHCC Meeting's Community Services Recreation Program Rate Study, the City Council approved increasing the rates charged for recreation programs and for facility room rentals after never having reviewed the rates in the past 10 years. The City Council did not reviewed these costs until the City of Laguna Hills Parks and Recs. Commission prompted these 3 studies.
** There are many opinions regarding what city services should be covered by taxes already paid by the citizens and which should involve user fees, so this is not a subject many city council members want to discuss publicly, but it is their job to review this information and make "PUBLIC" whatever their decisions are, so voters will be informed. Regarding the sports facilities, Mr. O'Toole from Greenplay, who was hired by the city to assess the recreational needs of the city, stated on 4/14/09 that the City of Laguna Hills has 12 parks (that # should have been 13), 2 sports fields, 1 Community Center, 15 parks in HOAs , 4 public schools, 2 soccer fields and 2 softball fields that were well utilized, 1 little league field and sports complex and 2 sports fields in Cabot Park that were underutilized. He said there were 3,300 total participants including kids and adults equaling a total of 10% of the community involved in Sports Organizations.

Item 6.3 A - Potential Amendments to Laguna Hills Municipal Code re. Charitable and Commercial Solicitations.

Staff Report says related to citizen complaints about a possible relationship between criminal activity and door to door solicitations the regulations for solicitation in the city are being re-examined. Solicitations are currently prohibited by the city between the hours of 9 pm and 8 am, at any house with a NO SOLICITORS sign, at any residential community with private streets with posted signs, etc., and are prohibited with use of profane language, with stepping onto or over the threshold, with placing body parts in doorways, with refusing to leave when asked, and with knowingly making false statements.

Staff says some cities have a solicitation permit process that may be helpful although it may be a problem for groups such as Girl Scouts selling cookies, etc. They suggested considering different hours such as allowing solicitation from 8 am to dusk and there doesn't appear to be any guarantee that cities with more stringent ordinances have less solicitors than those with less stringent ordinances.
Staff Recommendation - Receive public input, deliberate and provide staff with further direction.

Council Member Melody Carruth asked Lt. Doan if there was any correlation between burglaries and solicitors. Lt. Doan stated that he had not found any.

Valerie Geller, Laguna Hills Resident (who looked very familiar probably because she is the very talented concert violinist at Lulu's Creperie Restaurant in Laguna Hills) spoke in favor of a Solicitation Permit for Laguna Hills. She said large numbers of solicitors who are strangers have changed local neighborhoods and citizens are worried about letting children play in front yards, burglaries, etc. but are often reluctant, feeling intimidated, regarding calling the city to complain.

Grayson Span, a Laguna Hills Child Resident (who did an excellent job of public speaking) stated there are too many door to door solicitors in his neighborhood, too many unfamiliar people on the streets, too much trash from them and parents now making children play just in back yards. He stated strangers are coming into neighborhoods and taking over streets without asking permission.

There was a very lengthy discussion between city council members with Council Member Carruth asking for a City Solicitation Permit to assist the city in at least being able to identify who solicitors are and what they are soliciting for. The 4 City Councilmen argued that they have no evidence that a permitting process makes any difference related to a study of a Solicitation Permit Process in one city - Laguna Niguel. They said the best thing for citizens to do is post a "NO Solicitation" Sign on or near their front door because the city prohibits Commercial and Charitable solicitation where these signs are posted . Mayor Bressette added that permitting solicitors may give citizens an impression that the solicitors have some credibility. Mayor Bressette eventually moved toward a Permit Process that was voted down 3 to 2.

The hours for solicitation were changed From: No Solicitation between 9 pm and 8 am To: No Solicitation between 6 pm and 9 am. The VOTE for that passed 4-1 with Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott being the NO vote. Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott argued against a change in solicitation hours stating, "I have 25 years of experience in this community sending my girls out selling Girl Scout cookies. We always tell them go just after the dinner hour so that people are home. I don't see the benefit of going at 3:00 in the afternoon, you aren't going to find anybody home to buy your Girl Scout Cookies, but if you're out at 6 or 6:30 or 7, Girl Scout Cookies are sold during the season when it is light at that hour, you could be successful."

Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott also argued for a change in the wording of the current Municipal Code -4-20.040 (F) FROM: No person shall solicit by placing hands, legs, or any portion of the solicitor's body in the doorway, unless invited to do so by the occupant To: No person shall solicit by placing hands, legs, or any portion of the solicitor's body in the doorway, unless invited to do so by the solicitor.
*Editor's Note Those of us who had read this part of the Municipal Code understood immediately that Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott was wrong about his proposed change in the Municipal Code that would have put citizens at risk if adopted, but citizens are not allowed to speak except during public comments, and at this meeting there were no more public comments allowed, so we sat there thinking how bizarre this was and how ridiculously helpless we were as citizens. The rest of the city council accepted Craig Scott's error without question. Thankfully, Council Member Alan Songstad finally noticed Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott's error and sent a message to Mayor Bressette who then acknowledged it publicly.

To clarify - Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott was asking for a change in the city municipal code to allow a solicitor to determine if he/she may place his/her body parts in a citizens doorway? Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott's actual statement was - "I have a concern with section 4-20.040 this is the section of the ordinance manner of solicitation prohibitions, and you'll see the language there it says No person shall solicit then it goes (A) through (E) and on page 92 it asks up at the top, and I think we have an error here, in our code, or I'm just not understanding it, it says in (F) that we can't have solicitors placing hands, legs or any portion of the solicitor's body in the doorway so that it reasonably appears that the door may not be closed unless allowed to do so by the occupant. I think that should be unless allowed to do so by the solicitor."

Once Mayor Pro-Tem Scott's error was noted rather than acknowledging it he claimed there was ambiguity in the wording of the Municipal Code between (E) and (F). 4-20.040 (E) states - "No person shall solicit by stepping onto or over the threshold of a doorway, unless invited to do so by the occupant" and 4-20.040 (F) states - "No person shall solicit by placing hands, legs, or any portion of the solicitor's body in the doorway, unless invited to do so by the occupant". Again, the rest of the city council automatically accepted Craig Scott's "wordsmithing" and voted for changing this language in the Municipal code. (E) and (F) could certainly be combined but there is no confusion there regarding giving the resident the ability to maintain a distance between the solicitor and him/herself.

**We all learned from the City Attorney Greg Simonian that the City Codes for Soliciting apply only to Charitable and Commercial Solicitation and they Do Not apply to Political, Religious and Social Solicitation.

MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Mayor Randal Bressette stated that this Thursday June 24 is the 10th anniversary of the death of Sheriff's Deputy Steven Parsons who was struck on June 19 by a motorist who ran a red light. Randy spoke about the dedication of Deputy Parsons who was consistent, fair and determined to make the streets safer one citation at a time. He was our only motor officer at the time, was well known by school kids and was often requested to lead parades and to talk to the kids and show them his motorcycle. He loved his profession and his wonderful family, his wife Kathy and 2 children, a daughter Chelsea and a son Nathan.

CLOSED SESSION - Conference with Real Property Negotiator re. Price Terms of Lease. Property - Suite 201 at 24031 El Toro Rd. Negotiating Parties - Talbott, Eckhardt and Cohen
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For "CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD" *** Update - go to www.ocregister.com/saddleback scroll down to "Local Maps" move the map to your area, and click on the crime icons for details that show calls to the OC Sheriff's Department. You can also see stats for Crime in Lake Forest & Laguna Hills on Fridays in the Saddleback Valley News that is delivered to our area. There is also more information at www.ocsd.org (the OC Sheriff's Dept.) click on "E-Services" for the pull down menu, next click on "Sheriff's Blotter" then click "Laguna Hills" for the 7 or 30 day view.
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Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -

No money in Laguna Hills to honor those who defended our Freedoms
4th of July and Memorial Day Banners have not been installed on the light poles, and neither were the Christmas Flags. Our City has money to buy the City Manager a $60,000 personal Luxury SUV, spend $457,000 on custom painted murals at City Hall, Build a Vegas style entrance to Laguna Hills off El Toro road, but can't afford to put up a few flags to remember that a LARGE price was paid for our Freedom and to spend a few dollars on sponsoring the Marines. I would rather see the money losing marathon (I wonder how many Laguna Hills residents actually participate in this? I don't know of anyone personally.) go away and have the money lost go toward decorations and doing something nice for those who have continued to defend our freedom. (in my humble opinion). Pretty sad...Dee Dee

The Pet Police have arrived in Laguna Hills Neighborhoods
The dogcatcher is roaming Laguna Village, a community of 923 town homes in Laguna Hills, at Ridge Route and Santa Vitoria, attempting to get people to turn neighbors in by asking - "Do you know anyone who owns a dog in the neighborhood? Do you own a dog yourself?". Now we need to turn in our neighbors? Is this low life approach what we expected? Shame on that approach! Isn't if a door knock returns a bark, then they got a dog, taking the lazy approach? Apparently the city needs to generate revenue for the city manager's car and bonuses now, but how about getting us a good animal shelter in return for the dog license revenue generated? Some people may NOT have the fees to keep their animal companion. There are many elderly people who have dogs and cats as their only companions this is misguided. Will we need tax on hamsters and canaries soon? - Mr. C

Citizens on the issue of the city council, with the exception of Council Member Carruth, denying the Public's Right to Know re. cell towers in their neighborhoods -

How many wireless communication facilities are located in the guarded and locked gate community where Council Member Joel Lautenschleger lives? - Curious in Laguna Hills

Sounds like the planning commission is basically allowing this cell tower and does not want public input. The mailers are a joke. "If" they really did the mailers, the general public has little clue about cell towers. As I understand, other cities have successfully fended them off, as the FCC rules in support of such installations are not that black and white. Sure hope we get the term limits. Lautenshlager's remarks are pathetic. What an embarrassment. Clearly he must be "good friends" with the overpaid city manager. - Ms. LH Citizen

It appears our council view themselves as Kings. We REALLY need term limits. - Long time Laguna Hills Citizen

So hypothetically if we cover up San Onofre the public doesn't have to worry about atomic radiation. Is the city council's opinion with respect to microwave radiation fact? Micro waves are now used by the United States government as a weaponry in terrorist and urban warfare so microwaves can have danger levels. Some unknown effects, still no long term effects fully understood and documented. Furthermore all of a sudden a Swedish Scientist, I believe worked for Nokia, got so sensitive to microwaves he could not live in the city (or work) or be near a cell phone, or microwave radiation of any kind. We are bombarded by microwaves daily and bluetooth radiation wireless computer networks. There are unknown side effects and we, the citizens, do have the right to know. As with anything that falls under disclosure laws likely it is unconstitutional under federal law to hide possible health effects from the public? Would this be an opening for citizen litigation in the future for juries to find the city liable? Maybe the city should ask their insurance provider if this should be disclosed or coverage lost. We can't hide trash behind a fence to make it not trash any more? Microwave towers for various applications are a great profit revenue source under a long-term contract so maybe it's the money that blinds the current council members? Once again their lack of transparency is revealed as both a secret and a physical cover up. Do we need council members like that ? NO, that is why term limits are so important, and get rid of the trash behind the fence it smells by now. Mr. C

***Editor's Note - Related to the many messages received about this question a few of which are shown above, The Laguna Hills Watch Dog has done some initial online research on the Wireless Communication Issue in Laguna Hills and found the following information:

If you go to http://cityofmissionviejo.org/, and enter "Wireless" in the search mechanism on the web site you will see that the City of Mission Viejo has a Wireless Master Plan Study that was finalized in 2008. It has a huge amount of information for citizens including Site Locations of cell towers in their city including those on private and city owned property, Proactive Goals to reduce the number of sites through their co-location process, Mitigation of the Visual Impact through City Design Standards, and a Master Plan for the city to generate revenue by offering and maximizing the use of public properties.

The City of Mission Viejo's Planning Commission held public hearings during which several city park sites that were identified as highly sensitive to the community. Those sites will not be marketed to wireless carriers. They explain government regulations curtailing cities' restrictions of wireless carrier installations. They stress the necessity for local control and coordination. They discuss the ability of private property owners to negotiate with carriers for use of their property, and they show maps with locations of the wireless communication sites in Mission Viejo and the monthly rent they pay to the city, most at about $1,500/month.

There is - A local Governments Official's Guide to RF Emission Antenna Safety: Rules, Procedures and Practical Guidance is available on the FCC's RF safety web page at www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety. They state that wireless providers may fall under a number of additional federal regulations such as the Federal Aviation Administration regulations regarding height and proximity to airport facilities and projects in certain federal priority areas, including federal property, wilderness areas, wildlife preserves, endangered species habitat, historical sites, Indian religious sites, flood plains, and wetlands, may require an Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Protection Act. Wireless facilities that contain backup battery and generator systems may also be subject to federal regulations under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

If you go to www.cityofalisoviejo.com/ then to Zoning Code and search for "Wireless Communication" you will see that the City of Aliso Viejo's web site also has extensive information. Chapter 15.42 outlines specific goals and objectives for the city. They have a "Cumulative Effects" section #13 including the # of watts per installation and the # of total watts for all installations at a site plus the power rating for all existing and proposed backup equipment. They also have a clause for the city to hire and independent consultant to check on an installation at the expense of the wireless facility. .

If you go to the City of Laguna Hills web site and search for Wireless Communication or Cell Towers or Antennas, etc. all you get is "NO MATCHES FOUND", but if you persist and go the Municipal Code section and enter "Communications Facilities" you will find a brief section on Wireless Communication. Visual impact is discussed including "roof mounted facilities shall be screened from view by treatment which compliments the architecture of the building". Co-location efforts are necessary and lease agreements may not prohibit co-location. If the city finds that it is in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare telecommunication providers may be required to replace older facilities with newer equipment and permitted facilities shall be reviewed 5 years from the approval date to review new technologies. The city may require an applicant to provide a waiver for the city to hire an independent qualified consultant to check on an installation at the expense of the wireless facility. There is no map of where wireless facilities are located, no mention of how many are in the city, no mention of revenues received by the city from wireless communication facilities, and no information or referrals to other sites related to any health and safety information for the citizens.
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How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City
of Laguna Hills
Council Member Melody Carruth told us - If you want to serve on a new Support Committee for the Adopted Marine Division and/or make a contribution contact Richard Nagle at rnagle74@cox.net

Editor's Note - On Sunday 6/13/10 First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Marine Base at Camp Pendleton and pointed to Orange County and the rest of So. CA. as an example of communities here that have adopted fighting units, shipped off care packages and organized military appreciation days.

At the Aug. 25, 2009 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. Council Member Craig Scott went on to say 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 said the reasons for that go back a long time so he did not propose to go over all of that, but if the city is to be consistent with the council decisions in the past the city should not be about reconstituting and it is not appropriate to use city resources to further the work that could be done by the committee if the committee chooses to. He said very frankly he hoped Ms. Carruth had not been suggesting, as a member of the council, that she's speaking for the city because that would be contrary to their adopted position. He stated he did not favor her 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.
Doesn't the city of Laguna Hills that adopted the 3/5 Marine Division have duty to support them in some way or why did the City of Laguna Hills adopt them? Many other cities in Orange County have done a great job of this.
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OC Register News Stories & blogs about Laguna Hills

Series of News Stories in OC Register online about Orange County's City Manager's salaries- The most highly compensated City Manager in Orange County is from one of the smallest cities - Laguna Hills - at $460,809.00 (or even at $400,809.00 without the new car he is the highest paid city manager in all of Orange County). In a City of only about 34,000, he has a full time staff of only 27 to manage including himself, his Assistant City Manager & his Deputy City Manager.

Editorial in the Orange County Register on Friday, May 21, 2010 - Managing some big pay packages begins with "If you require a fresh source of indignation over public employees' perks, look no further than Laguna Hills,"..... Go to: http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/compensation-249743-city-public.html

Go to: http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/top-city-manager-compensation-460809-report-says/57287/ -Top city manager compensation: $460,809, report says

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/controversial-city-comp-report-now-online/57357/ - Controversial city manager compensation report now online

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/20/average-pay-for-big-city-city-managers-292651/57549/ - Average pay for big-city city managers: $292,651

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/21/mid-sized-city-manager-compensation-272573/57643/ - Midsized city manager compensation: $272,573

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/22/small-city-managers-average-pay-262196/57737/ - Small city managers average pay: $262,196

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/26/frustration-lack-of-transparency-mar-quest-for-city-pay-data/57991/ Frustration, lack of transparency mar quest for city pay data

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/06/01/prof-defends-students-study-in-wake-of-city-manager-attacks/58291/ Prof defends students, study, in wake of city manager attacks

Huntington Beach exec gets $200,000 ‘forgivable loan’ - OC Watchdog : The Orange County Register Check out Huntington Beach exec gets $200,000 ‘forgivable loan’ - OC Watchdog

http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-251558-manager-channing.html
Laguna Hills defends city manager pay increases

http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-251580-council-kogerman.html
OCREGISTER: Kogerman submits term limit initiative

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/06/04/city-manager-strikes-back-you-want-this-job/58423/ - City manager strikes back: YOU want this job?!

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
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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.
Council Member Craig Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a course or progress through life, or a distinct portion of life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Council Member 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 has achieved Career Bureaucrat status and he achieved that without Term Limits. Congratulations Mr. Scott!

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? Council Member Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) Born in Kansas in 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 a summer trip to visit her family in Southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. They 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 in the lobby at City Hall!

June 10, 2008 - Mayor Allan Songstad said "We have to go through a bidding process and sometimes the low bidder is not always the best contractor, but sometimes that's what we're stuck with."
Thank you Council Member Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking " the residents with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 19 years.

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 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 19 years)

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

August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Alan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus August 19, 1994LYNN FRANEY - Laguna Hills Councilman Declines to Run for Reelection With Councilman L. Allan Songstad Jr. declining to run for reelection, at least one newcomer will gain a seat on the City Council this fall. Songstad said he never intended to run for a second council term and that he is not a "career politician." That leaves space for at least one of the challengers, Cindy Greengold, Saeid Hariri, Grant R. Marcus or Charmane Riggs.
Now, in 2010 with 18 years on the Laguna Hills City Council we are guessing Council Member Songstad has changed his mind about being not being a "career politician" .
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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