Laguna Hills Watch Dog Special Edition - 2011 Laguna Hills City Survey for 2011 -Synopsis
conducted in March and April of 2011
The survey instrument for the 2011 survey was designed after consultation with the city manager and staff using the 2007 instrument as the starting point. The instrument used in the 2011 survey incorporated many of the questions used in the 2007 survey so that comparisons of the results of the two surveys could be made. The 2007 instrument does differ in several respects from the instruments of previous years. Questions about recycling, library services, public schools, Doctor’s Ambulance services, type of connection to the Internet, and shopping destinations were removed in 2011. Questions about social media usage, the source of most information about Laguna Hills, web-streaming city council meetings, and whether respondents’ dogs have been spayed/neutered and are licensed with the city were added in 2011.
Most of the respondents in the sample owned their homes (91.5 percent), were between the ages of 46 and 70 (62.7 percent), had some college experience or a degree (91.1 percent), and incomes over $100,000 (48.3 percent). Seventy-five percent of the respondents lived in Laguna Hills for more than 10 years. Eighty-three percent lived south of El Toro Road.
Forty-four percent of the sample was comprised of full-time or part-time employees. Forty percent were retired. Sixty percent were female. Twenty-two percent of the respondents had children under 18 living in the home with most having one (9.3 percent) or two (7.3 percent). About one-third (32.2 percent) had children in high school.
Maintain a low Crime Rate - Nearly all (94.0 percent) the respondents reported that maintaining a low crime rate was either extremely important (44.6 percent) or very important (49.4 percent) to them. The majority of respondents rated police service as excellent (37.8 percent) or good (45.8 percent). 24.4 percent reported that they called to report a crime (see Table 49). Other common responses included reporting a suspicious activity (13.7 percent). Among other reasons for contact were: called police because of a disturbance, noise problems, an emergency, a parking violation, and attending a neighborhood crime watch association meeting. 90.9 percent of the respondents who had contact with police rated police personnel as very professional and courteous.
Maintaining the Streets - Eighty-seven percent of the respondents reported that maintaining the streets was either extremely important (23.6 percent) or very important (63.3 percent) to them. When asked about streets concerning the quality of street and road surfaces in the city, a large majority (84.7 percent) rated street quality as either excellent (26.4 percent) or good (58.3 percent).
Providing Trash Collection and Recycling Services was either extremely important (29.3 percent) or very important (53.8 percent) to 83.1 percent of the respondents. 93.2 percent of the respondents rated the solid waste collection system as either excellent (40.9 percent) or good (52.3 percent). Twelve percent of the 26 respondents indicated that they rated the collection fair or poor because of missed pick up(s). 66.3 percent of the respondents reported that they had contacted CR&R and 98.1 percent of the respondents stated that their inquiry was resolved to their satisfaction.
Preparing the City for Emergencies - Eighty-three percent of the respondents indicated that preparing the city for emergencies was either extremely important (31.5 percent) or very important (51.5 percent) to them. Respondents were asked if they utilized social media such as Facebook, Twitter or MySpace. Approximately one-third (34.2 percent) answered “yes.” When asked which applications they used, one-third (33.5 percent) reported using Facebook. Less than 3 percent used any of the other applications. Forty-four percent of respondents were either very likely (30.3 percent) or somewhat likely (13.2 percent) to use social media to receive instant emergency information.
Keeping Public Buildings and Facilities Clean - Seventy-two percent of the respondents indicated that keeping public buildings and facilities clean was either extremely important (15.8 percent) or very important (56.4 percent) to them.
Managing Traffic Congestion Around Schools was either extremely important (21.0 percent) or very important (47.7 percent) to 68.7 percent of the respondents.
Maintaining Slopes, Parks and Street Medians was reported to be either extremely important (12.8 percent) or very important (55.6 percent) to 68.4 percent of the respondents. 85.8 percent of the respondents rated park maintenance as excellent (33.5 percent) or good (52.3 percent). Ratings for street medians and parkways were also strong. Thirty-four percent of the respondents rated street medians and parkways as excellent, and 54.0 percent rated them as good. Ratings for slope maintenance (71.3 percent excellent/good), came in behind those for parks and medians/parkways.
Enforcing Traffic Laws was either extremely important (18.6 percent) or very important (48.5 percent) to 67.1 percent of the respondents. When asked about traffic speed on residential streets, 53.4 percent of the respondents indicated that residential traffic speed was not a problem.
Reducing Traffic Congestion on City Streets Sixty-two percent of the respondents reported that reducing traffic congestion on city streets was either extremely important (14.8 percent) or very important (47.3 percent) to them. When respondents were first asked about traffic congestion in the city, 64.5 percent of respondents thought that traffic congestion was a serious problem.
Providing Library Services - Fifty-nine percent of the respondents indicated that providing library services was either extremely important (16.5 percent) or very important (42.3 percent) to them.
Keeping Citizens Informed of City Business and Events - Fifty-nine percent of the respondents reported that keeping citizens informed of city business and events was either extremely important (12.1 percent) or very important (46.5 percent) to them. Thirty-one percent of all respondents had visited the city’s web site in the past 12 months. This percentage represents an increase from the 27.1 percent who had visited the site in 2009. Respondents who had visited the web site were asked how often they used it. Over half (51.2 percent) used the web site less than monthly. Twenty-two percent used it at least monthly. Twenty-six reported using the site only once. Respondents who had visited the web site were asked the reason why they had visited the site. 30.8 percent used the web site to get general information on the city. Thirteen percent used it to register for recreation classes. Other reasons included: election information, look up salary information, pay a parking ticket, real estate research, and to follow-up on a complaint. 18.5 percent of the respondents stated that the web site was excellent and 59.7 percent of the respondents rated the web site as good. The percentage rating the web site as “excellent” generally appears to have decreased since 2007.
Providing Animal Control Services - Fifty-two percent of the respondents reported that providing animal control services was either extremely important (12.4 percent) or very important (39.2 percent) to them. The quality of animal control was the next question posed to respondents. The majority of respondents (57.8 percent) rated animal control services as excellent (16.0 percent) or good (41.8 percent). Only 41% of Respondents questioned answered “yes”to having any dogs. When asked if their dogs were spayed or neutered, 93.2 percent answered “yes.” Ninety-six percent of respondents with a dog reported their dog was licensed with the City. **Incorrect and misleading information in this question - no dogs are licensed with the City in Laguna Hills, they are all licensed with the County Animal Shelter in Orange who provides all of the Animal Care Services for Laguna Hills.
Providing a Variety of Recreation Programs - Providing a variety of recreation programs was reported to be either extremely important (6.3 percent) or very important (38.8 percent) to 45.1 percent of the respondents.
Revitalization of Commercial Areas - Forty-four percent of the respondents reported that revitalization of commercial areas was either extremely important (7.9 percent) or very important (35.9 percent) to them.
Providing Special Events - Less than one-third (29.6 percent) of the respondents indicated that providing special events like the 4th of July fireworks show was either extremely important (6.6 percent) or very important (23.0 percent) to them.
Trail Systems - 48.1 percent of the respondents indicated that they had used one or more of the trail systems. Usage appears to have fallen since 2007. 22.8 percent of the respondents indicated that they used the trails a few times a week and 18.5 percent used the trails once a week.
Video Streaming City Council Meetings - Respondents were asked if they would be likely to watch web-streamed city council meetings if the city decided to provide this service. 37% of all respondents reported they were either very likely (10.4 percent) or somewhat likely (26.4 percent) to watch council meeting on the web (see Figure 19).
Information about the City - Respondents were asked if they were aware that the City publishes a newsletter called “City Views.” 64.3 percent were aware of the newsletter. Respondents who were aware of the “City Views” newsletter were asked if they read it, 87.8 percent of the respondents answered “yes.” Answers to the question - What is the source of most of your information about Laguna Hills?, indicated that more people in Laguna Hills get their news about the City from the OC Register (29.6%) than from any other source including the City's own Newsletter (18.1%) that is mailed at taxpayer expense to every residence in Laguna Hills and the LA Times Newspaper (6.3%). For the first time the Laguna Hills Watch Dog got a mention in the stats (1.3%). Because we at the LH Watch Dog have a list of e-mail subscribers and stats from our blog, we know our numbers are significantly higher than the numbers noted here so we are assuming those for the OC Register are higher as well. 379 people responded to this question.
Fire an Paramedic Services - Respondents were asked to rate fire and paramedic services. A large majority of the respondents (81.0 percent) rated these services as excellent
I Receive Good value for the City taxes I pay - The Strongly Disagree column has steadily increased since 2001 from 1.6% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011, the Disagree column has increased from 4.9% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2011. The Agree column is high at 55% in 2011 but has steadily dropped from 68% in 2001, and the Strongly Agree in 2011 increased from 19.5% in 2001, and 21.4% in 2009 to 27.5 % in 2011.
Of those who contacted a City Employee in 2011 the Mayor and Council Members were the most frequently contacted - in 2009 (25.7%) and 2011 (26.4%). 72.6% of respondents said the City Employee they contacted resolved their problem, 27.4% said their problem was not resolved.
Feeling of Safety in the City - Ninety-three percent of the respondents indicated they felt Very Safe (47.2 percent) or Safe (46.1 percent) walking alone or with someone in their neighborhood at night, but the "Safe" rating has steadily decreased from 53.9% in 1995 and the Not Safe rating was 6.7% in 2011 - up from 5.3% in 2009.
Overall ratings of Laguna Hills being a good place to live - Excellent rose from 66% in 2009 to 67.5% in 2011 but Good decreased steadily from 39.8% in 1995 to 31% in 2009 to 28.5 % in 2011.
Graffiti Problems - Respondents were asked if graffiti was a problem in their area. Seventy-seven percent reported it was not a problem
Signage Problems - When Respondents were asked if the presence of commercial and retail signs in Laguna Hills detracted from the appearance of the city a lot, a little, or not at all, 53.2 percent of the respondents stated that the presence of such signs does not detract from the appearance of the city at all.
Property Maintenance Problems - Respondents were asked if commercial or residential regulations regarding property maintenance should be more or less restrictive or the same as they are now. As shown in Table 86, 27.5 percent of respondents thought that commercial regulations should be more restrictive while 30.8 percent of respondents thought that residential regulations should be less restrictive.
FUTURE SPENDING PRIORITIES
Improve landscaping on slopes and open spaces - Fifty-five percent of respondents who answered ranked improving landscaping on City-owned slopes and open spaces as either their first (27.1 percent) or second (27.8 percent) for future spending.
Expand and improve trail system - Nearly half (47.5 percent) of respondents who answered ranked expanding and improving the city-wide trail system as either their first (22.0 percent) or second (25.5 percent) priority. 22.8 percent of the respondents indicated that they used the trails a few times a week and 18.5 percent used the trails once a week. Retired respondents were more likely to report using the trail systems a few times a week compared to those of other employment status. 25.1 percent of the respondents rated the trails as excellent and 64.2 percent rated them as good.
Increase number of recreation facilities - Increasing the number of recreational facilities was the first (20.0 percent) or second (25.5 percent) priority for 45.5 percent of respondents who answered.
When asked What changes would you like to see in Laguna Hills, 24.5 percent of all respondents thought that no changes were required, 14.3% didn't know, but in answer to the question: If City Government could change one thing to make Laguna Hills a better place to live now and in the future, what change would you like to see, residents who had suggestions to offer said this:
Parks/athletic fields/trails
Build a dog park.
Build an aquatic park.
Good public swimming pool, because there is no public swimming pool available.
I want to see more trails and businesses.
I would like the city to be more environmentally friendly.
I would like them to put restrooms inside the parks.
I would like to keep horse trails.
I would like to see a dog park by the recreation facilities.
I would like to see a small park on the edge of Ridge Route.
I would like to see parks that are nicer.
I would like to see redeployment of the community center's athletic fields.
Improvements to city parks, larger and more numerous.
More parking at the ball fields and the community center.
More parks and trails.
More parks.
More places for teenagers to hang out.
More playing areas for very young children (under 2 years old).
More programs for seniors.
More support of the local baseball fields.
My husband would like to see more sports parks.
Nicer community center and a ball park.
Park entrance from her yard to have steps
Pay more attention to the senior citizens.
Racquetball courts.
Some kind of recreation center, so I can utilize a track to run or walk on.
We don't have a park close to our house because all the other cities have one, but we do not.
Government processes/city communication
A more open election for council members.
All the goofballs could get out of here.
Allow the people to moon the train. Other than that they are doing their job, and publish City Council's salaries and reimbursements.
Change the council members.
Get rid of the city manager.
Lay off the third of their staff, and get them to working harder in landscaping.
Less politicians.
Make sure the city council meeting [?] are published online.
More and better quality communication with residents. Don't like flyers they send need more one on one.
More citizen involvement.
More communication to the citizens in regard to city issues.
More up front and honest about running the city.
Not to roll over with the political corruption. Some councilmen need to be removed. Do not agree with gay marriage decision.
Televised city council meetings.
The whole city divided into equal parts, with a city councilor for every portion of the city to make it fair and even, so we all have representation.
They should dissolve themselves. It should be under county administration.
They should use more actions instead of politics.
To see the city in one piece, eliminate separation in Laguna Hills. Improve the parking next to Laguna Hills community center.
Transparency: Where everything is out in the open: salaries, meetings and proceeds and process thereof are published.
Worried that the new council woman might change things.
Traffic lights
Better synchronization of traffic lights. That would relate to traffic flow.
Better traffic control
Better traffic control.
Better traffic control.
Better traffic timing on Alicia Pkwy.
Controlling the traffic and the streets is what I would like to see. Making intersections safer.
Survey Research Center, University of North Texas
I would like to see better coordinated signals.
I would like to see the street lights to be set up and working on the regular.
I would like to see traffic lights that are more synchronized.
I would like to see the “Welcome to Laguna Hills” sign near the freeway replaced.
Improve the flow of traffic. Especially on El Toro and La Paz.
Less traffic lights.
Lighting.
One thing. To synchronize those stupid lights. That's no joke! Especially with the price of gas these days, you get stopped at every light.
Stop lights readjusted. No more low income housing.
Synchronized traffic lights.
That El Toro I-35 needs easing of traffic.
The stop light timing goes faster
Traffic flow patterns would be improved in my vision.
Traffic flow.
Traffic lanes should either increase or add a warning if it is a turn only lane before it is too late.
Updating the traffic signals.
Roads/road planning
Better road conditions.
Better roads
Fill the potholes.
Fix the roads: Moulton.
Get rid of traffic on Alicia Parkway at night.
I am concerned about how they have handled street repairs; it has caused traffic congestion.
I guess taking care of the roads a little better, especially in front where I live.
I think they could repave Ridge Route.
I would like the road repairs done quicker.
I would like them to smooth out the bumps in the sidewalk and on the street.
I would like to see better roads and free health programs.
I would like to see improvement in the streets and landscaping.
I would like to see the finishing of the pavement of El Toro Road and Moulton Rd.
Stop doing different construction projects and finish the original and be done with it!!!
I'd like to see a lot of streets repaired, and I'd like to see better care of the city property.
Improvements on the road, they are full of potholes.
Some of the roads need to be fixed.
The potholes and keeping the roads paved nicely.
The quality of paving in residential streets is an embarrassment to the city of Laguna Hill. It’s too bad the city council doesn't care.
The work on the streets should be completed faster and finish one project before starting a new one, slows down traffic.
They need to fix the south corridor by Alicia.
Well paved streets.
Well the roads; they need to be fixed. There is a lot of damage to the roads. We have a park up the street and there's a continual [stream of] water coming down the street right in front of our house; it's slimy and running green. My husband has called them about it and they have not done anything about it yet.
Well, they are improving the roads. And that is the main thing that I would like to see done.
Landscaping/maintenance/city clean-up
Better landscaping on the streets.
Create areas for the community to work on placing plants and trees in the neighborhood, in which would make the community flow and look a lot better.
I can't say off the top my head, I'm not really unhappy with anything. Actually molten rework is taking too long. I want to see public work done efficiently and residents are not in convinces. Specifically the rework on Molten parkway.
I honestly don't know. I live off of Osell (Oso?) Parkway, between Cabot Rd and Nelly Gail Rd (sp?) there are hillsides with lots of untrimmed shrubbery. I believe it's the responsibility of the homeowners association, but it is not being taken care of.
I would like to see better landscaping.
Improvement in the cleanliness of the city.
Keep the palm trees and branches trimmed, so they do not house rats.
Landscape, cleaning of off ramp to Laguna Hills, because it looks filthy. Because going to Mission Viejo looks better, I mean we had trees for the past 20 years. And all our neighbors had to call to get trees trimmed. My concern is that every year it’s going to be the same thing. So I would like to see the widening of the streets and signals on Paseo de Valencia.
More landscaping.
Plant more trees in the parks and city areas, and mitigate the sounds and pollution effects of the freeway. Also, I would like to have a decent size city animal shelter.
Quality of the neighborhood has gone downhill, graffiti and poor maintenance of yards.
Take better care of the slopes and along the roads.
The landscaping all over, do not seem to like to trim trees.
The street sweeper isn't as thorough as he should be but that's my only complaint.
They could do better on landscaping along the roads and parks.
They have a slope right behind me that needs to be maintained. They need to realize when it's theirs and to keep it clean. I would like to see better maintenance of the slopes and properties around my house. For example, the palm trees and the slopes are eye sores and I'd like for the city to know if they own certain properties before they say they can't fix them.
Schools and education
A middle school for Laguna Hills.
Better schools.
Higher rate of night classes.
I wanted a better education, schools, smaller classrooms.
I would change...I don't like the fact that there is no middle school in my area.
I would like for there to be a junior high school.
I would like to see them spend more money on their high schools.
I'd find a way to get a junior high school within city, so kids don't have to cross freeway to get to intermediate school.
Improve the surrounding school system.
Improved educational system.
Make the schools better. Keep the kids active, more active, or as active as they have been.
Over all security system. The schools do not have a lot of safety and people have concerns about their safety. The facilities around the school need to be more secure for the kids’ safety.
Put more money into public schools and provide more activities for the youth.
The kids that live in Laguna Hills could go to school in the city of Laguna Hills.
Um, give more money to the schools.
Very concerned in the Laguna Hills High School. They are no longer meeting education standards. To attract business to the area there are too many empty spaces in the area. They need to move traffic and to be attractive to business.
We need to look in to where the kids are coming from in our school. We need to see where everyone is coming from. The streets are crowded and the schools are crowded, so it is unclear where the kids are coming from.
Staff/Council compensation
A lower price city manager.
City manager is making too much money compared to other city sizes.
I don't see any immediate change needed. Salaries of city officials are bothersome.
I would not change anything right now, except maybe salaries and benefits for government employees.
I'd like the see the city managers' to a reasonable salary, 150-175 thousand. I also think the assistant city manager. They should be moved to services for children and the elderly.
More efficiency, Employees are overpaid, city council is grossly overpaid.
Pay officials less pay, Laguna Hills is not too big so I think they are paid too much.
Pay the city manager a lot less money, reduce the overhead of city government, cost, city bases.
Reduce city manager’s salary. He is making too much money.
Reduction of the city manager’s salary.
Salary review.
Stop wasting money on the medians and the roads.
The biggest thing we're looking at is the salaries being paid to the officials. Some of the salaries in some of the towns are getting excessive. If you're a part-time city mayor and you're getting $400,000, that's a lot of money. I think that city improvements would be a better location for the money.
The cost in government drop. City manager is making too much money along with staff.
The expense account.
Police/law enforcement
A city government. Improve the Police Department.
Enforce the laws that they make: they have no drinking in parks, no smoking in parks, no storing of trailers or boats, and none of these laws are enforced.
I would like more police patrols and less costly children's' classes.
I would like to see a stop on the organized crime, gang, and dirty cops in the area. I would also like to see warning signs near residential areas and apartments that warn people about the keynotes in the area so they can protect their dogs or cats.
I would probably like see a better effort from law enforcement to solve drug use at parks.
I would say more police and sheriffs, and making sure that hill sides are cleaner.
Improve the Police Department, and more observation of general crimes. Improve the traffic stoplights and city congestion.
It's a waste of time having cops looking for traffic violators within the neighborhood I live in. Don't waste taxpayer money on that.
More law enforcement.
More policemen drive around because of robberies.
Nobody pays attention to traffic signals.
On the street of Olso Parkway, patrol needs to be heavier for speeding.
Police force is too aggressive.
Police officers who better complete their jobs and district attorney who better complete their jobs as well.
Probably more policemen.
Festivals/events/services/public transit
Better transit system.
Better transportation, better stoplights systems. You have to wait 5 to 7 minutes. Traffic control and more bus stops. Better telephone system and better water systems and better public parks, put more effort in cleaning the parks.
I believe more community events.
I would like a swimming pool and transportation for people who don't drive.
I would like to see more community events.
I would say a better service between Laguna hills bus station and Urban train station.
Maybe better public transportation, such as more bus routes and more frequently too.
More access to wider sidewalks more community availability.
More activities for young people.
More city public transportation and lower costing community classes.
More public transportation, and more walkable city, and more bike trails.
Probably more community events.
Public transportation.
Code enforcement/zoning regulations
Fairness in enforcing city code and lack of uniformity and tend to play favorites and specifically the law.
Get rid of illegal immigrants and they are a drain on the school system and they don't contribute taxes. I would like to see the travel trailers off the street. I would like to see people who live in Laguna Hills doing the survey.
Get rid of illegal immigrants. Less safe and poor economy, multiple people living in the same condos. Shopping carts on front lawns and street.
I noticed more graffiti. It looks horrible and makes it look worn down.
Making it easier to get conditional use permits.
More aggressive enforcement on people who don't clean up their lawns and on street parking in neighborhoods.
More cost effective local government. More streamlined planning and building department.
More mixed use development.
Not allowing smoking in apartment buildings.
Stricter laws on shopping centers to keep them more exclusive.
They could do a better job with the way people take care of their homes. Take away trashy cars off the streets, and some of the playgrounds should have bathrooms.
Housing/growth/property taxes
Better housing.
In areas that don't have home associations, the city should have more control of how the homes look. In some areas that don't have them, the neighborhoods look really bad, reducing the property value.
It's going good. Maybe around the Laguna Hills Plaza, it's going bad. Something should be done there to liven up the place.
Less development.
Less taxes. (2)
Like to see the city government not grow, services that can be outsourced, outsourced.
Lower taxes. (2)
Lower taxes. Don't like supporting people who don't belong here.
Stop building.
To try to keep the growth rate down. The good thing about Laguna Hills is that it is not too crowded, but in the last 10 years, there has been more traffic and more people.
Traffic enforcement/Parking issues
A little more parking space, shopping centers and more roads to get around.
I would like them to stop using my street as a car park.
I would like to see better parking on the streets. Particularly around the corners where the cars are just packed and it makes it very difficult to go around the street.
Little better traffic enforcement, real bad problem with people running lights and making right hand turns when it's not allowed.
Nothing specific comes to mind.
More condominium parking,On our street, we can't even park in front of our own house. It used to be so open.
Post the signs for street cleaning days throughout the neighborhood as opposed to one location.
Some arrangement that would limit jammed parking space along the streets in the city. There are certain areas where it's like one lane between the cars and the curb. Both curbs and down the center of the street is the only thing available. It obscures stop signs and it's generally dangerous ... The east end of Cousteau (from Alicia east through Mackenzie) is [particularly bad] ... more cars than houses. I have a 3 car garage ... but cars park in front of my driveway anyway. They overhang into my driveway.
We need more street parking closer to the house. One of the main streets has been designated “no parking” and it's a pretty wide street.
Animal shelters
A dog shelter.
An animal shelter.
Animal shelter is needed.
I would like to see an animal shelter, so they don't have to go to the Orange County or Kill shelter.
I would like to see them build a local animal shelter in the city or combined with other south county cities.
I'd like to see a no kill animal shelter
I'd like to see them cooperate with other cities and an animal shelter.
Well, I think that it would be very helpful if there was an animal shelter so we wouldn't have to go to Orange County. Something more nearby would be helpful.
City services/distribution of funds
Cut down on expensive [?] and would like to see a dog park.
I think they can stop spending money on things they don't need to.
I would like to see if they could sell the city hall that they've got and make some money off of that.
I would like to see the city manager take a salary more in line with the private sector. Such as half of what he is currently getting.
Lower costs.
Maintain and expand city trail systems and provide facilities like benches and water fountains at trail intersections and trailheads.
More services and less expensive than now.
Spend less money.
Stop spending money on the lavish improvements of the city hall and on large bonuses to the city manager.
To stop squandering money, they seem to have money to burn. Planting grass like in Alicia Parkway.
Utility issues
City using less water.
Do something about the blackouts in the city.
Fix water situation. They are all rationing on water.
It's dark around here. I would like more light at night.
Summertime is too dry and the hillsides should look better. They look too dry.
The end of water rationing.
They have chopped down all the utilities trees by the highway just to put in one new lane.
To improve the water quality of the city.
Well, I guess the water district is becoming an issue. They keep jacking up our rate. We use the same amount of water and it doesn't make sense. We used a lot of water this winter, it is not right.
Traffic
Less traffic problems at peak hours.
Less traffic. (4)
Reduce the traffic through the city.
Traffic concerns, freeway exits into Laguna Hills are too congested.
Traffic.
Shopping
Disneyland or a big mall.
More restaurants.
Strip malls and large mall is run down and need to be updated.
The appearance of the shopping center so that it looks more attractive, and the ability to access the freeway better.
New library
A library, more gardens, and parks. A better post office location and better post office.
A library.
Have libraries.
Public assistance
More services for people who are older than 65 such as handicapped travel assistance. Transportation for special needs to doctor’s appointments.
More support for senior issues.
Their assistance to bring back small business.
Jobs
I want to see it that we get people in here for jobs, when I first lived here it was empty. Growth is good, but let’s get people jobs. Either by giving people tax breaks or something and get business in here.
I would want to see more jobs because right now I am unemployed.
Other
A new post office.
But there are houses that people moved (from) and left abandoned, and there are health problems. I have called the city but to no avail. Mosquitoes.
Continuing the diversity of city council, well the past election we had a new member and we were happy and we want to get new [members] in. I'm very happy with last election, new member.
Developing an ethnic problem in Laguna Hill and I would like to see something done about that.
I don't want city government doing stuff, want a simple lifestyle.
I would like to change the area where I live. It's in a bad condition.
I would like to see more friendly people that are more trusting with one another.
I would like to see them to take down the trees in the back my house at Alicia Parkway. It is also a safety hazard, if those trees split during a storm, it would not be a safe situation.
Just make it more of a community somehow. The town is so spread out so it doesn't have a real town feeling. When I first moved here they would show on the local cable access network someone going through all of the propositions that you could vote on and explain what each one meant. I think this was very insightful and would help people know how to vote. I think they should start doing this again.
Less control by Nelly Gail.
Lot more provisions for older people.
Make it have more of a downtown. Like a central downtown, like in the mid-west.
Pay the teachers better and get rid of tenure. We have great teachers and they are being bullied out of money.
That we could have more dogs in the area.
The neighborhoods have greater identity, a fostering of neighbors knowing each other and participating with each other.
The post office being closer to homes, or more centrally located.
There are two of them. More intelligent management of projects such as street reconstruction (execution was poorly done). And finding a way to give the citizens of Laguna Hills the ability to use recycled water for their plants, rather than regular water. There's a third, as well. Stop any and all development until the area has sufficient water resources available so we don't go on drought condition by increased residential and business development.
To be more resident friendly, for example garage sale signs being ripped down.
To make it more inviting during the holidays. There weren't any decorations for Christmas and it was like, “Come on, let's celebrate.”
To restrict the kind of people who move in to the area and so that it doesn't look poor, and to have the crime rate go down.
To see the kind of services they offer. I don't know what they offer.
Un-privatization of parking violations, taken care of by private company, as well as the hassle taking care of parking violations. Would rather deal directly with Laguna Hills.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
LAGUNA HILLS WATCH DOG SPECIAL EDITION - April 19, 2011
LAGUNA HILLS CITY COUNCIL BUDGET SESSION - Summary of some of the Major Issues. - You can listen to the complete audio content of this 5 hour meeting online on the City web site.
EXPENSES AND CUTTING COSTS
Assistant City Manager Don White spoke for almost 1 1/2 hours about City expenses and defended the City's personnel costs. He said personnel costs have ranged from 25 to 27% of the operating budget and city management staff costs are 36 to 41% of that amount. The fiscal year 2012-2013 budget is expected to use about $1 million, 678 thousand for city mgmt. staff. He noted that management staff receives COLAs (Cost of Living Allowances) in addition to all of their other compensation benefits. He said PERS retirement plan costs increase every year, and noted how this city had retained the 2% at 60 retirement formula. He noted that the City did delete the Mayor's breakfast and cut the Management Retreat back to having it at the Brewery in Aliso Viejo this year to save money. City Manager Channing offered that health care rates recently dropped from $179,000 in 2009-10 to $80,000 for 2012-13 because the City has found a composite rate rather than continuing to pay the previous age banded rate.
(Editor's Note - It's good for the taxpayers that this change finally happened but the problems with the old health care plan that was costing the taxpayers so much were clearly published by the Orange County Register Newspaper's OC Watchdog in November of 2009 in the 2 reports below that everyone can still read online by clicking on the links. The question is why was this City Manager not ahead of the game on finding a more economical Health Insurance Plan for City employees including the City Council? Why did this take the City until 2012-13 to make this change when the problems were so clearly defined for the taxpayers in 2009?
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/
In answer to a question by Council Member Kogerman, White said the City Manager's $60,000 car in 2009 is NOT considered a personnel cost and it's cost would be under Capital Outlay as an asset of the city. (Editor's Note - This is the method the City employs for the City Manager's and Assistant City Manager's car purchases rather than showing their cars as a purchase or a car allowance or an annual payment on the balance of the amount owed for the car in the online At A Glance City Manager's Compensation Report)
Council Member Kogerman asked Assistant City Manager Don White how much the City collects from COX Cable annually and White responded that the amount was about $480,000 that goes to the general fund to safeguard the public's interests in the absence of competition. Kogerman asked if we could use some of that for Video streaming the Council Meetings rather than the audio only streaming that we have now. White explained that this money is for the purpose of being sure all the companies who pay it (Cox, Edison, SDG&E and for a time Solid Waste disposal) are all following the law.
Council Member Kogerman also suggesting putting City Views online to save significant expense in publishing and mailing it. Mayor Songstad countered that it can't be sent out online because we don't have all the citizens e-mails. (Editor's Note - Publishing City Views online on the City web site would allow citizens to go there to see it.
Bressette, Kogerman and Carruth questioned the amounts of car allowances for City Management Staff and Kogerman asked about having a pool of autos for staff to drive on the job. City Manager Channing responded that car allowances are needed because department heads are expected to have a personal vehicle available to them for their travel to meetings throughout the County. Council Member Bressette noted that car allowances deserve more scrutiny because from the figures in the budget an employee would have to average 100 miles a day in business travel to make up for the allowance amounts provided. He added that a 10 year old truck was replaced but questioned it's mileage. Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services, City Engineer responded that the truck had about 100,000 miles and may have been able to continue in service for another 100,000 but old trucks don't look good to the community so are replaced to avoid projecting a poor image.
DISCUSSION OF NEED FOR MORE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES IN LAGUNA HILLS
Assistant City Manager Don White continued with a lengthy discussion of the Sheriff's contract that he said is up to 39% of the operating budget. Mayor Pro-Tem Carruth asked if there has been any consideration given to sharing deputies with other cities to keep the numbers of deputies that are needed up and the costs down. City Manager Channing responded that no other cities have asked about this and we can consider this if they ask. (Editor's Note - What is preventing our City Manager from asking other cities about this? Don't we pay the City Manager to be thinking ahead creatively rather than playing catch-up?)
Council Member Bressette questioned eliminating one traffic deputy from 4 traffic/motor deputies when traffic problems are the primary Public Safety problem for Laguna Hills. City Manager Channing said he worked this out with Lt. Doan so that Doan could put an officer in the Special Enforcement Team (SET) that is now not staffed. He said the City operated with only 3 traffic officers all last year because one was out and the number of collisions was down. Bressette noted that the number of citations was also down by 1500 so he questioned that and added that the money from the lost citations could go toward supporting another deputy/officer because Public Safety is the highest core priority for the City.
Lt. Doan was called upon and corroborated that one traffic office was out last year due to an injury and was not replaced by substitutes. He also said he thought that now that we have 4 motor officers again pulling one this year for the vacant SET (Special Enforcement Team) was a good idea. (Editor's Note - We asked Lt. Doan why the traffic/motor officer was not replaced and he told us - The only position that I did not fill with overtime was the vacant motor position. The main reason I chose this route is that the Sheriff’s Department doesn’t have a contingent of motor deputies that are available to fill motor vacancies. The motorcycles they ride are City property and the logistics of having a motor from another City work on overtime is overwhelming. Additionally, it makes no sense to fill a motor vacancy with a deputy in a patrol car because they typically do not have the training/ experience to use the electronic speed measuring devices that we utilize in traffic enforcement (radar, laser, etc.) Because of these hurdles, I chose to run the one motor position vacant for most of the year. Whenever a position goes unfilled, the City doesn’t pay for that position.)
Council Member Kogerman agreed that the $345,000 brought in last year by hazardous motor citations would help to fund another officer/deputy.
Mayor Songstad said he wouldn't put these 2 officers back if we had plenty of money and continued that our preventative patrol time is just fine, you can put a police office on every corner or in everybody's driveway but that would be foolish. We were overstaffed before and still are probably over staffed. He then switched the subject to the city retirement plan of 2% at 60 and that he said the council was so wise to keep and said he doesn't want to temporarily suspend or eliminate any of that to pay for more police and called this a political issue. (Editor's note - he did not mention that the city pays for both the employer and employee's contributions to the retirement plan.)
Council Member Lautenschleger agreed with Songstad and protested vigorously that there was no safety issue.
Mayor Pro-Tem Carruth reversed her previous position on this issue and her vote for this Major Plan for the City on this issue and responded that due to the bad news about economic recovery now she was not for adding deputies. She said reassigning deputies until the financial picture changes for the better, maybe in 2014 is a good idea.
Council Member Bressette responded that this is not a political issue, public safety is a core priority. He said the force is stretched to the point that the numbers may begin to deteriorate and he said he is especially concerned about taking away a motor officer. He said there are lots of other ways to save money such as temporarily defunding PARS and the $100,000 for Urban Re-forestation could be delayed, COLAs could be suspended, car allowances could be cut, Stockport Park Renovations could be delayed, Step increases for staff and vacation buyouts could be suspended as well to protect public safety.
Council Member Kogerman said we can look again at the City Manager's and Assistant City Manager's compensations and look at the Compensation Report and see if some shifts could be made to better serve the citizens.
Mayor Songstad said then tell Lt. Doan not to do that, leave the officer in motor rather than putting that officer on the SET team. He continued that you are willing to jeopardize some of the programs that make the City competitive in being able to attract high caliber talent to fund police officers. He asked how many officers do you want , 10, 20, 30, 40? He noted that the 4 rapes in the City were all by people who knew the victims, not someone jumping out of the bushes.
Council Member Kogerman stated she is assuming that this issue will not be decided until all have had a chance to look at the Compensation Study Report and work on compensation issues, etc. The City Manager responded he was not sure about that, it would depend upon when that report comes back to the council.
DANGERS ON THE ALISO CREEK TRAIL RUNNING THROUGH LAGUNA HILLS
Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services, City Engineer spoke about the $16 million Capital Improvement Budget over the next 6 years.
Mayor Pro-Tem Carruth asked what can we do to ask the County of Orange to set aside funds for the outrageous lack of maintenance at the Aliso Creek Watershed? What about funding for emergency projects? Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services, City Engineer explained this began about 10 years ago when the County of Orange was partners with the Army Corps of Engineers. They were doing an Aliso Creek Main Stem Study all the cities including Laguna Hills were stake holder/funding partners in the process. It was anticipated that we would eventually be asked to contribute about $500,000. The study was completed and the project was never funded. The County then started a new process to potentially fund an Aliso Creek restoration project that is well downstream of our location. It is unclear if in the future we would be participants in this funding. It is just there to give some expectation in the future that there is some expectation of helping Aliso Creek. A short term goal would be to change the County's priorities. In the long term this Capital improvement is so costly it is hard to predict that will ever be funded. He said have recently been putting pressure on the County for the section of the Aliso Creek between the I-5 freeway and Paseo de Valencia. No resolution yet and he said he can report back if we need to go higher up the ladder. Kogerman stated if we do not receive sufficient response from the County she is hoping the council will direct the City Manger to send a strongly worded letter to the County about safety and that they are derelict and this is something we could agendize. Ken Rosenfield responded the County suffered a significant washout of a bike trail at the underpass of the freeway and there was a stated federal disaster declaration so his expectation is that the County is trying to get the funding though that process and eventually put a project together to fix that and he is 'hopeful" that they will then include some of the eroding slopes further down the stream, but he doesn't know that at this time.
SKATE PARK AND ROLLER HOCKEY FACILITY
Kogerman suggested some safety enhancements and supervision for the Skate Park. Ken Rosenfield responded that the topic of the roller hockey and skate park improvement have been discussed. Roller hockey roof was discussed but the roller hockey vendor, the Ca. Street Hockey Association, has not been able to be a partner in this but improvements to one of both facilities could be considered together or independently.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
Council Member Kogerman stated she checked and found that the Kid's Factory is not a duplication of the TLC Program. Kid's Factory is a drop in program that both Lake Forest and Mission Viejo fund for each of the elementary schools in the Saddleback District Pgrm. in their cities. The program at each school costs about $29,000 a year and runs for about 2 hours after school and costs the parents about $25 to enroll their child for a year. The TLC Program is more of a full time childcare program and very costly. She said she talked with the principal at Valencia Elem. School and he said he really feels the lack of the Kid's Factory here after having worked at a school in Mission Viejo. He said kids who have no place to go here just hang around the library after school and then drift away. If we funded this program the district would staff it for children who are otherwise out on the streets drifting. The total cost would be $87,000 a year for the 3 elementary schools in Laguna Hills. Mayor Pro-Tem Carruth stated that none of the council members were interested in expanding the role of government, most of us want to reduce the size of government and no one here wants to create an entitlement program, it isn't the city's responsibility to pay for day care.
FINAL RESULTS OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS RATINGS OF THEIR FAVORITE MAJOR PLANS FOR THE CITY
Major Plans cannot move forward unless they get a Vote of 1.6 or better per the City Manager. All council members can vote 0, 1, or 2 on each item and the votes are totaled then divided by 5 for the final rating.
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Aliso Creek Trail Loop from Carruth - 1.2 rating-failed
Votes - Songstad-0, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-1, Carruth-2
Exercise Sheep Hills Park IOD, from Carruth - 1.6 rating-approved but Unfunded.
Votes - Songstad-1, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Increase the number of sworn deputies sheriff positions by 2, from Bressette - 1.2 rating-failed Votes - Songstad-0, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-0, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Investigate the installation of a barrier on PDV between Mobile Station Community Center, from Bressette - 1.2 rating but eliminated after investigation
Votes - Songstad-0 , Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Implement Kid's Factory after school program, from Kogerman 0.6 rating-failed
Votes - Songstad-0, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-0, Bressette-1, Carruth-0
Respond to proposals from other cities to provide animal services, from Kogerman - 1.6 rating-passed Votes - Songstad-1, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Video Stream Council Meetings, from Kogerman - 1.8 rating-passed
Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM PARKS AND RECREATIONS COMMISSION
Acquire rights for a park/trail in the Edison Easement - 1.6 rating passed
Votes - Songstad-1, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Implement a citizen volunteer program to enforce City Codes in Parks - 0.6 rating-failed Votes - Songstad-0, Kogerman-1, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-0, Carruth-1
Develop a Community Garden - 0.2 rating failed
Votes - Songstad-0, Kogerman-0, Lautenschleger-0, Bressette-0, Carruth-1
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM CITY MANAGER
Negotiate a property sale agreement for the La Paz-Moulton Center to allow for additional retail space - 2.0 rating passed
Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-N/A, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Work with Fritz Duda to facilitate the recevelopmemt of Oakbrook Village to a mixed-use development - 2.0 rating passed Votes were all 2s
Work with Simon Properties to redevelop Laguna Hills Mall to a mixed-use development - 2.0 rating passed Votes were all 2s
Establish collaborate working group of stakeholders within the Urban Village - 1.6 rating passed but Unfunded.
Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-1
Develop Legislative strategy amending State law to allow the transfer of excess housing funds from Lake Forest- rating 2.0 passed. Votes were all 2s
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM CITY CLERK
Convert existing imaged documents database records management system to SIRE - rating 2.0 passed Votes - were all 2s
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPT.
Work with OC Animal Care Services & other contract cities to facilitate construction of new OC Animal Shelter - rating 2.0 passed Votes were all 2s
Explore use of on online social networking to increase citizen participation and public information - rating 1.4 failed *City's published work sheet states this passed but it did not receive a 1.6 rating?
Votes - Songstad-1, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-2, Bressette-0, Carruth-2
Work with OC Animal Care Services & other contract cities & Board of Supervisors to create OC Animal Care Public Advisory Board - rating1.6 passed
Votes - Songstad-1, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-0, Carruth-2
Investigate Costs/benefits of a Laguna Hills Houseing Authority to benefit Via Lomas Area - rating 1.6 passed Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-2, Bressette-1, Carruth-1
Update November 2009 Staff Report regarding ballot initiative to increase City's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) - rating 0 failed
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT.
Update development code to comply with new General Plan and new State laws -rating 2.0 passed - Votes were all 2s
Work with Simon Group and Fritz Duda Company to implement a Catalyst project in the Urban Village - rating 2.0 - Votes were all 2s
Implement a sustainable development program - rating 2.0 - Votes were all 2s
Conduct a study to convert the City's existing permitting system to paperless system - rating 2.0 - Votes were all 2s
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM PUBLIC SERVICES DEPT.
Assess sidewalks & ramps to update City's self-assessment for compliance with the American Disabilities Act - rating 2.0 - Votes were all 2s
Initiate NPDES inspection program and inspect existing structural controls implemented in Water Quality Mgmt. Plans - rating 2.0 - Votes were all 2s
Upgrade City's geographic Information system (GIS) by adding layers - rating 1.8 passed but Unfunded Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-1, Lautenschleger-2, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPT.
Implement a regional commercial food-waste recycling program - rating 1.8 passed
Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-2, Bressette-2, Carruth-1
LAGUNA HILLS CITY COUNCIL BUDGET SESSION - Summary of some of the Major Issues. - You can listen to the complete audio content of this 5 hour meeting online on the City web site.
EXPENSES AND CUTTING COSTS
Assistant City Manager Don White spoke for almost 1 1/2 hours about City expenses and defended the City's personnel costs. He said personnel costs have ranged from 25 to 27% of the operating budget and city management staff costs are 36 to 41% of that amount. The fiscal year 2012-2013 budget is expected to use about $1 million, 678 thousand for city mgmt. staff. He noted that management staff receives COLAs (Cost of Living Allowances) in addition to all of their other compensation benefits. He said PERS retirement plan costs increase every year, and noted how this city had retained the 2% at 60 retirement formula. He noted that the City did delete the Mayor's breakfast and cut the Management Retreat back to having it at the Brewery in Aliso Viejo this year to save money. City Manager Channing offered that health care rates recently dropped from $179,000 in 2009-10 to $80,000 for 2012-13 because the City has found a composite rate rather than continuing to pay the previous age banded rate.
(Editor's Note - It's good for the taxpayers that this change finally happened but the problems with the old health care plan that was costing the taxpayers so much were clearly published by the Orange County Register Newspaper's OC Watchdog in November of 2009 in the 2 reports below that everyone can still read online by clicking on the links. The question is why was this City Manager not ahead of the game on finding a more economical Health Insurance Plan for City employees including the City Council? Why did this take the City until 2012-13 to make this change when the problems were so clearly defined for the taxpayers in 2009?
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/
In answer to a question by Council Member Kogerman, White said the City Manager's $60,000 car in 2009 is NOT considered a personnel cost and it's cost would be under Capital Outlay as an asset of the city. (Editor's Note - This is the method the City employs for the City Manager's and Assistant City Manager's car purchases rather than showing their cars as a purchase or a car allowance or an annual payment on the balance of the amount owed for the car in the online At A Glance City Manager's Compensation Report)
Council Member Kogerman asked Assistant City Manager Don White how much the City collects from COX Cable annually and White responded that the amount was about $480,000 that goes to the general fund to safeguard the public's interests in the absence of competition. Kogerman asked if we could use some of that for Video streaming the Council Meetings rather than the audio only streaming that we have now. White explained that this money is for the purpose of being sure all the companies who pay it (Cox, Edison, SDG&E and for a time Solid Waste disposal) are all following the law.
Council Member Kogerman also suggesting putting City Views online to save significant expense in publishing and mailing it. Mayor Songstad countered that it can't be sent out online because we don't have all the citizens e-mails. (Editor's Note - Publishing City Views online on the City web site would allow citizens to go there to see it.
Bressette, Kogerman and Carruth questioned the amounts of car allowances for City Management Staff and Kogerman asked about having a pool of autos for staff to drive on the job. City Manager Channing responded that car allowances are needed because department heads are expected to have a personal vehicle available to them for their travel to meetings throughout the County. Council Member Bressette noted that car allowances deserve more scrutiny because from the figures in the budget an employee would have to average 100 miles a day in business travel to make up for the allowance amounts provided. He added that a 10 year old truck was replaced but questioned it's mileage. Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services, City Engineer responded that the truck had about 100,000 miles and may have been able to continue in service for another 100,000 but old trucks don't look good to the community so are replaced to avoid projecting a poor image.
DISCUSSION OF NEED FOR MORE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES IN LAGUNA HILLS
Assistant City Manager Don White continued with a lengthy discussion of the Sheriff's contract that he said is up to 39% of the operating budget. Mayor Pro-Tem Carruth asked if there has been any consideration given to sharing deputies with other cities to keep the numbers of deputies that are needed up and the costs down. City Manager Channing responded that no other cities have asked about this and we can consider this if they ask. (Editor's Note - What is preventing our City Manager from asking other cities about this? Don't we pay the City Manager to be thinking ahead creatively rather than playing catch-up?)
Council Member Bressette questioned eliminating one traffic deputy from 4 traffic/motor deputies when traffic problems are the primary Public Safety problem for Laguna Hills. City Manager Channing said he worked this out with Lt. Doan so that Doan could put an officer in the Special Enforcement Team (SET) that is now not staffed. He said the City operated with only 3 traffic officers all last year because one was out and the number of collisions was down. Bressette noted that the number of citations was also down by 1500 so he questioned that and added that the money from the lost citations could go toward supporting another deputy/officer because Public Safety is the highest core priority for the City.
Lt. Doan was called upon and corroborated that one traffic office was out last year due to an injury and was not replaced by substitutes. He also said he thought that now that we have 4 motor officers again pulling one this year for the vacant SET (Special Enforcement Team) was a good idea. (Editor's Note - We asked Lt. Doan why the traffic/motor officer was not replaced and he told us - The only position that I did not fill with overtime was the vacant motor position. The main reason I chose this route is that the Sheriff’s Department doesn’t have a contingent of motor deputies that are available to fill motor vacancies. The motorcycles they ride are City property and the logistics of having a motor from another City work on overtime is overwhelming. Additionally, it makes no sense to fill a motor vacancy with a deputy in a patrol car because they typically do not have the training/ experience to use the electronic speed measuring devices that we utilize in traffic enforcement (radar, laser, etc.) Because of these hurdles, I chose to run the one motor position vacant for most of the year. Whenever a position goes unfilled, the City doesn’t pay for that position.)
Council Member Kogerman agreed that the $345,000 brought in last year by hazardous motor citations would help to fund another officer/deputy.
Mayor Songstad said he wouldn't put these 2 officers back if we had plenty of money and continued that our preventative patrol time is just fine, you can put a police office on every corner or in everybody's driveway but that would be foolish. We were overstaffed before and still are probably over staffed. He then switched the subject to the city retirement plan of 2% at 60 and that he said the council was so wise to keep and said he doesn't want to temporarily suspend or eliminate any of that to pay for more police and called this a political issue. (Editor's note - he did not mention that the city pays for both the employer and employee's contributions to the retirement plan.)
Council Member Lautenschleger agreed with Songstad and protested vigorously that there was no safety issue.
Mayor Pro-Tem Carruth reversed her previous position on this issue and her vote for this Major Plan for the City on this issue and responded that due to the bad news about economic recovery now she was not for adding deputies. She said reassigning deputies until the financial picture changes for the better, maybe in 2014 is a good idea.
Council Member Bressette responded that this is not a political issue, public safety is a core priority. He said the force is stretched to the point that the numbers may begin to deteriorate and he said he is especially concerned about taking away a motor officer. He said there are lots of other ways to save money such as temporarily defunding PARS and the $100,000 for Urban Re-forestation could be delayed, COLAs could be suspended, car allowances could be cut, Stockport Park Renovations could be delayed, Step increases for staff and vacation buyouts could be suspended as well to protect public safety.
Council Member Kogerman said we can look again at the City Manager's and Assistant City Manager's compensations and look at the Compensation Report and see if some shifts could be made to better serve the citizens.
Mayor Songstad said then tell Lt. Doan not to do that, leave the officer in motor rather than putting that officer on the SET team. He continued that you are willing to jeopardize some of the programs that make the City competitive in being able to attract high caliber talent to fund police officers. He asked how many officers do you want , 10, 20, 30, 40? He noted that the 4 rapes in the City were all by people who knew the victims, not someone jumping out of the bushes.
Council Member Kogerman stated she is assuming that this issue will not be decided until all have had a chance to look at the Compensation Study Report and work on compensation issues, etc. The City Manager responded he was not sure about that, it would depend upon when that report comes back to the council.
DANGERS ON THE ALISO CREEK TRAIL RUNNING THROUGH LAGUNA HILLS
Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services, City Engineer spoke about the $16 million Capital Improvement Budget over the next 6 years.
Mayor Pro-Tem Carruth asked what can we do to ask the County of Orange to set aside funds for the outrageous lack of maintenance at the Aliso Creek Watershed? What about funding for emergency projects? Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services, City Engineer explained this began about 10 years ago when the County of Orange was partners with the Army Corps of Engineers. They were doing an Aliso Creek Main Stem Study all the cities including Laguna Hills were stake holder/funding partners in the process. It was anticipated that we would eventually be asked to contribute about $500,000. The study was completed and the project was never funded. The County then started a new process to potentially fund an Aliso Creek restoration project that is well downstream of our location. It is unclear if in the future we would be participants in this funding. It is just there to give some expectation in the future that there is some expectation of helping Aliso Creek. A short term goal would be to change the County's priorities. In the long term this Capital improvement is so costly it is hard to predict that will ever be funded. He said have recently been putting pressure on the County for the section of the Aliso Creek between the I-5 freeway and Paseo de Valencia. No resolution yet and he said he can report back if we need to go higher up the ladder. Kogerman stated if we do not receive sufficient response from the County she is hoping the council will direct the City Manger to send a strongly worded letter to the County about safety and that they are derelict and this is something we could agendize. Ken Rosenfield responded the County suffered a significant washout of a bike trail at the underpass of the freeway and there was a stated federal disaster declaration so his expectation is that the County is trying to get the funding though that process and eventually put a project together to fix that and he is 'hopeful" that they will then include some of the eroding slopes further down the stream, but he doesn't know that at this time.
SKATE PARK AND ROLLER HOCKEY FACILITY
Kogerman suggested some safety enhancements and supervision for the Skate Park. Ken Rosenfield responded that the topic of the roller hockey and skate park improvement have been discussed. Roller hockey roof was discussed but the roller hockey vendor, the Ca. Street Hockey Association, has not been able to be a partner in this but improvements to one of both facilities could be considered together or independently.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
Council Member Kogerman stated she checked and found that the Kid's Factory is not a duplication of the TLC Program. Kid's Factory is a drop in program that both Lake Forest and Mission Viejo fund for each of the elementary schools in the Saddleback District Pgrm. in their cities. The program at each school costs about $29,000 a year and runs for about 2 hours after school and costs the parents about $25 to enroll their child for a year. The TLC Program is more of a full time childcare program and very costly. She said she talked with the principal at Valencia Elem. School and he said he really feels the lack of the Kid's Factory here after having worked at a school in Mission Viejo. He said kids who have no place to go here just hang around the library after school and then drift away. If we funded this program the district would staff it for children who are otherwise out on the streets drifting. The total cost would be $87,000 a year for the 3 elementary schools in Laguna Hills. Mayor Pro-Tem Carruth stated that none of the council members were interested in expanding the role of government, most of us want to reduce the size of government and no one here wants to create an entitlement program, it isn't the city's responsibility to pay for day care.
FINAL RESULTS OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS RATINGS OF THEIR FAVORITE MAJOR PLANS FOR THE CITY
Major Plans cannot move forward unless they get a Vote of 1.6 or better per the City Manager. All council members can vote 0, 1, or 2 on each item and the votes are totaled then divided by 5 for the final rating.
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Aliso Creek Trail Loop from Carruth - 1.2 rating-failed
Votes - Songstad-0, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-1, Carruth-2
Exercise Sheep Hills Park IOD, from Carruth - 1.6 rating-approved but Unfunded.
Votes - Songstad-1, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Increase the number of sworn deputies sheriff positions by 2, from Bressette - 1.2 rating-failed Votes - Songstad-0, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-0, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Investigate the installation of a barrier on PDV between Mobile Station Community Center, from Bressette - 1.2 rating but eliminated after investigation
Votes - Songstad-0 , Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Implement Kid's Factory after school program, from Kogerman 0.6 rating-failed
Votes - Songstad-0, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-0, Bressette-1, Carruth-0
Respond to proposals from other cities to provide animal services, from Kogerman - 1.6 rating-passed Votes - Songstad-1, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Video Stream Council Meetings, from Kogerman - 1.8 rating-passed
Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM PARKS AND RECREATIONS COMMISSION
Acquire rights for a park/trail in the Edison Easement - 1.6 rating passed
Votes - Songstad-1, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Implement a citizen volunteer program to enforce City Codes in Parks - 0.6 rating-failed Votes - Songstad-0, Kogerman-1, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-0, Carruth-1
Develop a Community Garden - 0.2 rating failed
Votes - Songstad-0, Kogerman-0, Lautenschleger-0, Bressette-0, Carruth-1
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM CITY MANAGER
Negotiate a property sale agreement for the La Paz-Moulton Center to allow for additional retail space - 2.0 rating passed
Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-N/A, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
Work with Fritz Duda to facilitate the recevelopmemt of Oakbrook Village to a mixed-use development - 2.0 rating passed Votes were all 2s
Work with Simon Properties to redevelop Laguna Hills Mall to a mixed-use development - 2.0 rating passed Votes were all 2s
Establish collaborate working group of stakeholders within the Urban Village - 1.6 rating passed but Unfunded.
Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-2, Carruth-1
Develop Legislative strategy amending State law to allow the transfer of excess housing funds from Lake Forest- rating 2.0 passed. Votes were all 2s
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM CITY CLERK
Convert existing imaged documents database records management system to SIRE - rating 2.0 passed Votes - were all 2s
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPT.
Work with OC Animal Care Services & other contract cities to facilitate construction of new OC Animal Shelter - rating 2.0 passed Votes were all 2s
Explore use of on online social networking to increase citizen participation and public information - rating 1.4 failed *City's published work sheet states this passed but it did not receive a 1.6 rating?
Votes - Songstad-1, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-2, Bressette-0, Carruth-2
Work with OC Animal Care Services & other contract cities & Board of Supervisors to create OC Animal Care Public Advisory Board - rating1.6 passed
Votes - Songstad-1, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-1, Bressette-0, Carruth-2
Investigate Costs/benefits of a Laguna Hills Houseing Authority to benefit Via Lomas Area - rating 1.6 passed Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-2, Bressette-1, Carruth-1
Update November 2009 Staff Report regarding ballot initiative to increase City's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) - rating 0 failed
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT.
Update development code to comply with new General Plan and new State laws -rating 2.0 passed - Votes were all 2s
Work with Simon Group and Fritz Duda Company to implement a Catalyst project in the Urban Village - rating 2.0 - Votes were all 2s
Implement a sustainable development program - rating 2.0 - Votes were all 2s
Conduct a study to convert the City's existing permitting system to paperless system - rating 2.0 - Votes were all 2s
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM PUBLIC SERVICES DEPT.
Assess sidewalks & ramps to update City's self-assessment for compliance with the American Disabilities Act - rating 2.0 - Votes were all 2s
Initiate NPDES inspection program and inspect existing structural controls implemented in Water Quality Mgmt. Plans - rating 2.0 - Votes were all 2s
Upgrade City's geographic Information system (GIS) by adding layers - rating 1.8 passed but Unfunded Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-1, Lautenschleger-2, Bressette-2, Carruth-2
PLANS ORIGINATING FROM COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPT.
Implement a regional commercial food-waste recycling program - rating 1.8 passed
Votes - Songstad-2, Kogerman-2, Lautenschleger-2, Bressette-2, Carruth-1
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
April 26, 2011 - Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All Council Members were present and Attorney James Dodge took the place of Greg Simonian who was busy with the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council on this date.
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Special Announcements - You can now listen to every City Council Meeting online on the City web site at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/ via an audio recording. Try it out and see what you think.
*** Laguna Hills Team Dark Horse will have a table at the Community Swap Meet at Laguna Hills High School this Saturday, April 30. This is short notice but please donate furniture, electronics, sporting goods, and all those things you have wanted to get rid of so you can actually use your garage! Please see more below under LHHS Student Liaison Report.
*** See the rest of March, April and May Line Up for Win-Win-Wednesdays Never Tasted so Good at http://www.winwinwednesdays.com/ see more under - INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers:
Contact the Laguna Hills City Council Members at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
Presentations and Proclamations - None
Public Comments - None
LHHS Student Liaison Report by Lyndsey Kaan said AP and IB testing starts next week. Mr. Boulton’s Principal’s Newsletter #7 just came out for all those who would like to see it. There is an API dance this Friday. Hot Off the Grill is the Win-Win-Wednesday restaurant for this Wednesday. The Spring Musical, “Little Women” is from May 6 through May 13. Girl’s softball is undefeated, Boy's hockey won 8 – 1 yesterday.
*** The 3rd annual LHHS SWAP MEET is this Saturday from 7 am to 2 pm. Mav Bressette clarified that this is a Community Garage Sale for the school. It raises funds for all the school clubs, sports, music and other activities. No boosters involved here all involved are individual school clubs and groups and the 3/5 Marines. **Please bring all your items to be donated to the High School on or before 6:45 am this Sat. April 30 for all the high school groups and the Laguna Hills Adopted 3/5 Marines. There is a row of tables for the Laguna Hills Adopted 3/5 Marines so please leave your donated items at their tables for them and at the tables of any school clubs, groups, etc. to which you wish to donate items at the specific tables for them. Mav Bressette has taken the reins for the Dark Horse and is galloping to the finish line to benefit the 3/5 Marines and their families who are just now returning from Afghanistan so please help the Marines and/or the High School by donating your unwanted items to raise funds with no capital outlay. All the funds raised go directly to the High School Groups and to the Marines. For more information you can contact Mav at MavBresete@aol.com or Mike Bland at 35bland@gmail.com
Council Member Carruth offered that she attended the homecoming for the India Company of the Dark Horse Marines in Camp Pendleton. She said there were hundreds of people there, Mariner’s Church was there giving out cookies, drinks, stickers and t-shirts. She said she and Mr. Bland had the opportunity to visit with lots of parents who were fully aware of all the support from the City of Laguna Hills over the past 6 months. The wounded warriors were there to greet their brothers as well. She also requested that the 3/5 Banner at the Community Center be left there until after the Memorial Day activities so the participating Marines and their families could see it. – Vote all agreed to leave the banner in place until after Memorial Day.
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 until the next city council meeting so there is a long delay for the public related to timely information from the city.
Consent Calendar - Warrant Register = $918,434.56
Items of interest from the Warrant Register - None
** Citizen's Survey for 2011 - cost is $8,425.00 and results should be in at the May 10, 2011 City Council Meeting.
Items of Interest from the Consent Calendar: **Items on the Consent Calendar are placed there by City Staff.
Item 4.3 - Amendment #2 to Community Development Block Grant & Home Programs - According to the staff report continued participation in this County of Orange Urban County designed to assist small cities (populations under 50,000) in the administration of Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds through the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program will allow the City to block grant funds for the Aliso Meadows Condominium Association and facility rehabilitation project at the Florence Sylvester Senior Center that qualify. The City's participation in this program was extended for 3 years to June 30, 2015.
Fiscal Impact to the City - Staff Time spent on the projects to determine eligibility
Item 4.4 - Urban Village Specific Plan Amendment adding 117,000 sq. ft of retail space, making a revision to General Plan's Housing Element to establish a minimum residential density of 30 residential units per acre and reducing the amount of open space to 10% in the area of 240 acres bounded by Paseo de Valencia on the north and west, Los Alisos on the south and I-5 freeway on the east.
Item 4.5 - Progress payment for Citywide Pavement
Item 4.6 - Weed Abatement Program - Staff report states the 2011 Schedule is: March - Inspect properties in the City for weed abatement issues, April 26 - Adopt a weed nuisance resolution, April 27, mail notices to offending property owners of scheduled Public Hearing, May 24, hold a public hearing, June 20 Initiate City weed abatement for non-compliant properties, June 30 Send notice to property owners of abatement costs and scheduled public hearing, July 12 Hold Public hearing on weed abatement costs, July 26, Submit costs to County Assessor's Office. Notices will be sent to approx. 530 properties in the City.
Fiscal Impact to City - Approx. $40,000 - some of this amount will be recovered through tax assessments on private parcels and the rest is annual clearing of City owned properties. List of offending property owners is published online under Agenda for April 26, 2011 - City Council 2011 Weed Abatement Pgrm. #8 under Files.
Item 4.7 - Urban Forestry Grant for the Green Trees for the Golden State Program
Staff report states the City requested and received a grant through the State of CA in the amount of $100.000 ($75,000 grant and $25,000 in matching funds to be supplied by the City) for 600 15 gal. trees. City plans to plant 500 trees in vacant parkways in front of residential properties, in the area bounded by Alicia, Paseo de Valencia, Cabot Rd. and the I-5 freeway. The additional 100 trees are proposed to be planted along the bike trail between Via Lomas St. and Moulton Pkwy.
Fiscal Impact to City - $65,000 in matching funds.
Item 4.8 - Measure M2 Environmental Cleanup Allocation Grant Pgrm. - Staff report states the City is proposing to apply for a grant from the M2 Environmental Cleanup Allocation Program for funds to be used to meet Federal Clean Water Act standards for controlling transportation-generated pollution. Staff is proposing the installation of debris gates or retractable catch basin screens at 69 of the approximately 561 catch basins catch basin locations throughout the City. They will be install along major arterials, commercial, light industrial areas and residential areas. They are stated to have a life span of approx. 10 years. An estimated $2.8 Million in Measure M2 funds are being made available to eligible applicants including Orange County cities and the County of Orange the maximum grant is $100,000 per project. In their application the City States the population of the City is 33,500. It also says the City has installed debris gates at approx. 170 locations in the City since 2005. Inspections of the debris gates will e completed by the City's Street Maintenance Supervisor whose hourly salary plus benefits is stated to be $87.30 per hour - inspections over a 10 year period are expected to be $7,028.00. Catch basins are to be inspected and cleaned by hand annually prior to the rainy season and hourly cost for County Cleaning Crews is $64 per hour so this cost over 10 years is expected to be $17, 250.
Fiscal Impact to City - $65,000
Items Pulled from the Consent Calendar - NONE
The Consent Calendar was passed as is by a Vote of 5-0
Planning Agency Public Hearing - Item 5.4.1 - Conditional Use Permit Master Sign Pgrm. Request from G&M Oil Company, Inc. to reconstruct the existing Gas Station and add a new 1,316 sq. ft. convenience store located at 23991 El Toro Rd.
(**Editor's note this is the gas station to which the City just paid $1,590,431.54 for a 15 foot wide portion of the property to accommodate the right-of-way for the widening of El Toro Rd at Avenida de la Carlota)
Staff report states this request is for a complete redesign and reconstruction of the Chevron Gas Station site including new fueling islands and canopy and a new 1,316 sq ft. convenience store, new signage and new landscaping. The site is now non-conforming related to it's smaller size (16,160 sq. ft.) due to the Carlota St. widening , site design and signage.
Staff Recommendation is to approve the Conditional Use Permit.
*** This item was continued for the second time and will now reportedly be heard on May 10.
Planning Agency Adjourned
City Council Public Hearings - Item 6.1 - Amending the Zoning and Subdivisions section of the Laguna Hills City Code to permit Seasonal Strawberry Stands in Some Commercial Districts subject to the approval of a Temporary Use Permit.
Staff Report states - A proposed amendment adds strawberry stands under category of outdoor sales and Christmas Trees and Pumpkin sales are proposed to be included in this same section. This limits these temporary uses to commercial district, provides better protection for residential districts, are in line with surrounding cities and simplifies the code. Strawberry Stands are limited to 120 consecutive days per calendar year and there is a signage policy for the stands.
There were no Public Comments Vote – Passed 5-0
Administrative Reports - **These Items are authored by City Staff - None
Other Business - **These Items are authored by Council Members -
Item 8.1 - Laguna Hills High School Grad Nite Funding Request - The City donates $4000 to support this event each year. This year in a letter from resident Meg Gorham a one time request of an additional $1,500 has been requested to match the Win-Win-Wednesday Funds collected and to assist in providing a safe and sober alternative event for our graduating seniors. Meg pointed out in her request that in its first 4 months WWW has generated close to $10,000 in revenue in Laguna Hills restaurants.
Council Member Bressette asked pointed out the difficulty of raising funds this year and asked that this one time request be passed. Council Member Carruth stated she seconded this motion for purposes of discussion and said the council has supported this over the years and question the appropriateness of giving more gifts. She said we are donating police services for the event and asking for contributions rather than a gift from the tax payers. Council Member Lautenschleger agreed saying we have already given $4000. Where do we draw the line? $4000 plus law enforcement is enough. Council Member Kogerman agreed that it is a public safety event and giving public funds of $4000 plus.
Vote was 4 – 1 against giving the additional $1500. Council Member Bressette was the dissenting vote.
Council Member Bressette donated $500 of his own funds, Council Member Carruth donated $200, Council Member Kogerman also made a donation at the meeting.
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
Council Member Bressette stated this is Wildfire Awareness Week so need for weed abatement is now, plus attention to prevention of fires in the home through the OC Fire Authority. Check all your home smoke alarms and fire extinguishers to be sure they are in working condition now.
Closed Session - None
Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday May 10, 7 pm, at City Hall. The PUBLIC BUDGET WORKSHOPS have been completed and we will publish a Brief Special Report from the April 19th 5 hour Budget Meeting soon. There will also be a PUBLIC HEARING on the City Budget in June.
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City Council & City Manager Report Card - Number 8 for 2011
Categories - (T) Transparency for Citizens, (A) Accountability to Citizens, (CI) Championing Citizen Related Issue, (AG) Achieving Citizen Related Goal Grades - (P) Pass, (A) for Authoring a Citizen Friendly Item, (F) Fail, (A+) Extra Credit. City Manager will be scored related to online and agendized Staff Reports and Requests
**This was a mixed bag related to citizen issues so unable to determine grading for council members. If Songstad and Lautenschleger chip in it appears that the additional funding for LHHS Grad Night will have been accomplished.
Bressette -
Carruth -
Kogerman -
Lautenschleger -
Songstad -
City Manager - A - for combining and simplyfing the City Temporary Use Permits - Thank you to Vern Jones, Community Development Director.
INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers:
MAYOR SONGSTAD'S REMARKS ABOUT STATS FROM ABOUT IRVINE SHELTER
Mayor Songstad’s remarks about the animal statistics from the Irvine Shelter open up more interesting information. The Irvine shelter does not “adopt” animals from a rescue center. The Irvine shelter goes to “kill” shelters and transfers pets about to be euthanized. This is stated in the article that the Mayor found about the Irvine Shelter: http://www.ocregister.com/news/irvine-115908-ocprint-shelter-animal.html Because of this 3rd chance program, the citizens of Irvine can then go to a humane shelter and have a much wider selection. This includes many puppies from moms that would have been put down at the kill shelter. Irvine has over 500 volunteers and many of them, including myself, have fostered many, many puppies and kittens. At the county shelter that our city contracts with, puppies and kittens are euthanized because they are too young to be spayed/neutered and therefore cannot be adopted. Here’s how this win-win program allegedly “skews” the data. Assuming not any transfer pets were euthanized at Irvine, this would only change the euthanasia rate from 7.5% to 10.5% as compared to Laguna Hills animals being put down by the county at a 42% rate. The reason the Irvine rate does not change significantly is because The Irvine Shelter only euthanizes in accordance with the Hayden Act. The Irvine Shelter does not kill healthy adoptable animals for lack of space, and they go much further. They save puppies and the kittens whenever possible. Citizens of Irvine willingly donate money to make this transfer program possible. These dogs and cats are of the same caliber that the county shelter would euthanize by labeling them too young, too feral, or just plain not worth saving. Valerie Bromberg
THE SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS OF TRAILS ALONG ALISO CREEK
On Saturday the 16th of April, I accompanied Council Member Carruth on a tour of both sides of the creek from the I-5 overpass to Paseo de Valencia. Since she has been observing this area for several years during the creek clean-up days, she was able to confirm the tremendous amount of damage created by this year's storms. I also talked with Council Member Lautenshager who indicated that he had toured the bike path and noted the shear drop-off safety condition, I thought it would be good to acknowledge these two for making the effort to follow up on my concern for this issue. Both confirmed the need to get Supervisor Bates to tour the area and get the County moving on repairing the damage. Jonathan Bromberg
LIEs ON THE CITY WEB SITE
Go to http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/ , then go to Public Official’s Compensation Report, scroll down to Management Staff Compensation-City Manager, search for the small underlined word “here” at the bottom of the 3rd paragraph and click on it. You will find the “AT A GLANCE TABLE FOR CITY MANAGEMENT” for 2010. Take a good look and just as the Watch Dog said there is absolutely no mention of the City Manager’s $60,000 car purchased in 2009. All it says is “Auto Allowance - $0”. The City screamed at Barbara Kogerman for adding the price of the car to Channing’s compensation, the contract for the car states it’s being paid over 5 years with City funds and Channing's contract with the City of Laguna Hills states under Equipment A - City shall provide Channing with a City leased or owned Automobile for the term of this Agreement. Since this car is exclusively for Channing who uses it for City business and takes it home for his own personal use this should be taxable income for Channing but it is not mentioned anywhere in his online compensation report. This City continues to lie to the citizens and apparently believe we are all stupid and/or have faulty memories and will vote for them in every election because their names are on the ballot. If they lie about this, we know they are lying about many other things as well, so when and how do we get the transparency we voted for? Kathryn
Contact the Laguna Hills City Council Members at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
WIN WIN Wednesdays Never Tasted So Good !
Here's the lineup for - WWW Global Cuisine - Please Download your flyers to give to each restaurant to get the 20% for Win-Win-Wednesday's Safe & Sane Grad Night for LHHS at http://www.winwinwednesdays.com/
April 27 – Hot Off The Grill at 25252 La Paz Rd. at McIntyre next to the 7-11.
May - WWW Celebrates MOMs
May 4 Polly's Pies - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Mother's Day Pie Orders
May 11 Mother's Market & Kitchen - Restaurant & Juice Bar
May 18
May 25 Ruby's Diner - LH Mall
June - Saluting Seniors 2011
June 1 California Pizza Kitchen - LH Mall
June 8 BJ's Brewhouse & Restaurant
June 15 Elephant Bar - LH Mall
June 20 LHHS PTSA's Grad Nite Preview Night Event
June 22 Special WWW Surprise TBA
How to support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills
Donation Checks can be made specifically to "Laguna Hills Team Dark Horse" and mailed to - Team Dark Horse, 27251 Lost Colt Dr., Laguna Hills, CA. 92653. Non-profit corporation status is pending. e-mail Mike Bland at 35bland@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, for information, or about donations, etc. and the city e-mail for the 3/5 is 3/5-support@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us The City Clerk Peggy Johns is the City Liaison to the 3/5 Support Committee. Go to the City web site at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/
Be sure to see the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adopted Marines Great new Facebook page created by Karen Robbins at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laguna-Hills-TeamDarkhorse/132765660119128 and share it with your friends!!
** Please remember to donate all your usable unwanted items to the 3/5 Marines at the Laguna Hills High School Swap Meet this Saturday – Please see instructions above under Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report and a Huge thank you to Mav Bressette who has pulled this Swap Meet together for the 3/5 Marines and to Win-Win Meg Gorham who donated the fee for the tables for the 3/5 at the Swap Meet.
*** Also thanks to all of you who have so generously donated funds to support the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines. Eli, the bomb sniffing Labrador Retriever, (to see original story click on: http://ocpets.ocregister.com/2011/02/03/family-adopts-fallen-marines-service-dog/82914 ) who was adopted by the family of a fallen 20 year old Marine, Colton Rusk, who worked with Eli and loved him in Afghanistan will soon have a reunion with the 3/5 Marines . Watch for this story in OC Register Newspaper.
2 news stories about the 3/5 Marines:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/mar/19/marine-pays-tribute-brother-arms/
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Pendletons-35-to-Return-Home-118654254.html
News Stories and Blogs about Laguna Hills: Click on the links below to see the stories.
After attacks, city-manager-compensation sleuths win state award March 21st, 2011, posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/03/21/after-attacks-city-manager-compensation-sleuths-win-state-award/78545/#comment-139633 Go to http://www.publicceo.com/ for more of this story.
No more $60,000 SUVs for city manager?
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/02/09/no-more-60000-suvs-for-city-manager/75030/
Gold-plated benefits? New councilwoman just says ‘no’ http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/01/18/gold-plated-benefits-new-councilwoman-just-says-no/72532/
OCREGISTER: Laguna Hills councilwoman says no to health benefits http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-282972-benefits-council.html
O.C. cities lavished health benefits on council members
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/12/06/oc-cities-lavished-health-benefits-on-council-members/69544/
Who has the best-paid city council in California? (updated)
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/12/02/who-has-the-best-paid-city-council-incalifornia/69418/
In Laguna Hills the Taxpayers pay the entire cost of heath care premiums for the elected part time city council members and their families. In addition, the City Manager's contract states "To the extent that payment of all or any portion of the dependent rate of premium, is not approved by the city council for all city employees, Channing shall be entitled to a salary increase or cash payment sufficient to cover the amount of premium or rate for dependent coverage not provided by the City plus applicable income taxes on that amount.
OCREGISTER: Kenneth Frank: In defense of city managers
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-277030-manager-laguna.html
"Citizens, in turn, must do their part to foster civic pride. They should demand that city council and planning meetings be televised and streamed online. And they need to become involved. In Laguna Beach, we have numerous homeowners associations and environmental, business and labor groups that encourage the exchange of ideas and enhance the interactivity between residents and elected officials.
OCREGISTER: Chris Norby: Local officials susceptible to 'Bell syndrome
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/elected-276253-city-syndrome.html
"Bell syndrome thrives where elected boards vote in lockstep, where groupthink is elevated, and skeptics are ostracized, and where top staff are seen as irreplaceable experts – with rubber-stamped salaries to prove it. Bell syndrome thrives when self-congratulation trumps self-examination."
State Controller John Chaing's Office
http://www.sco.ca.gov/noncompliant_reports.html#cities2
OC has two of state’s best-paid city managers
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/09/17/oc-has-two-of-states-best-paid-city-managers/64492/
OC Register Editorial: City pay data belongs in daylight
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-261556-compensation-cities.html
Proposed California law would sanction cities that pay excessive salaries
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-bell-legislation-20100812,0,4204782,email.story
* City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public? Memorable and surprising Public Quotes from City Council Members
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.
October 25, 2005 - Mayor Allan Songstad, speaking about the Laguna Hills City Council said, "When you've been doing business in a certain way for 13 years you're not likely to change that."
So true, Allan, so unfortunately true unless you change members of the city council.
August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Allan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus - August 19, 1994 LYNN FRANEY - Laguna Hills Councilman Declines to Run for Reelection With Councilman L. Allan Songstad Jr. declining to run for reelection, at least one newcomer will gain a seat on the City Council this fall. Songstad said he never intended to run for a second council term and that he is not a "career politician." That leaves space for at least one of the challengers, Cindy Greengold, Saeid Hariri, Grant R. Marcus or Charmane Riggs.
Now, in 2011 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."
"CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD"
www.ocregister.com/saddleback scroll down to "Local Maps" Click on OCSC Crime Calls in the pull down box that says "MORE" 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. Weekly Crime reports in Laguna Hills By CLAIRE WEBB, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER http://www.ocregister.com/news/block-281462-report-drive.html See a map of all crime calls in the city in the past 24 hours by visiting ocregister.com/lagunahills The blotter was compiled by Claire Webb and consists of selected items from the Orange County Sheriff's Department web site, ocsd.org.There is 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. LIVE TRAFFIC MAPS Caltrans Online Traffic Maps to instantly check traffic and any incidents on the 405/5 freeways at any time of day. On the tool bar, you can hit "Change Cities," and it shows whatever you put in there - inland, San Diego,etc. http://www.sigalert.com/map.asp?Region=Orange+County#lat=33.69964&lon=-117.80006&z=1
Contact all of the Laguna Hills City Council Members at: ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the Orange County Register
Letters to the Editor: E-mail to letters@ocregister.com. Please provide your name, city and telephone number (telephone numbers will not be published). Letters of about 200 words will be given preference. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity
All Council Members were present and Attorney James Dodge took the place of Greg Simonian who was busy with the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council on this date.
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Special Announcements - You can now listen to every City Council Meeting online on the City web site at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/ via an audio recording. Try it out and see what you think.
*** Laguna Hills Team Dark Horse will have a table at the Community Swap Meet at Laguna Hills High School this Saturday, April 30. This is short notice but please donate furniture, electronics, sporting goods, and all those things you have wanted to get rid of so you can actually use your garage! Please see more below under LHHS Student Liaison Report.
*** See the rest of March, April and May Line Up for Win-Win-Wednesdays Never Tasted so Good at http://www.winwinwednesdays.com/ see more under - INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers:
Contact the Laguna Hills City Council Members at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
Presentations and Proclamations - None
Public Comments - None
LHHS Student Liaison Report by Lyndsey Kaan said AP and IB testing starts next week. Mr. Boulton’s Principal’s Newsletter #7 just came out for all those who would like to see it. There is an API dance this Friday. Hot Off the Grill is the Win-Win-Wednesday restaurant for this Wednesday. The Spring Musical, “Little Women” is from May 6 through May 13. Girl’s softball is undefeated, Boy's hockey won 8 – 1 yesterday.
*** The 3rd annual LHHS SWAP MEET is this Saturday from 7 am to 2 pm. Mav Bressette clarified that this is a Community Garage Sale for the school. It raises funds for all the school clubs, sports, music and other activities. No boosters involved here all involved are individual school clubs and groups and the 3/5 Marines. **Please bring all your items to be donated to the High School on or before 6:45 am this Sat. April 30 for all the high school groups and the Laguna Hills Adopted 3/5 Marines. There is a row of tables for the Laguna Hills Adopted 3/5 Marines so please leave your donated items at their tables for them and at the tables of any school clubs, groups, etc. to which you wish to donate items at the specific tables for them. Mav Bressette has taken the reins for the Dark Horse and is galloping to the finish line to benefit the 3/5 Marines and their families who are just now returning from Afghanistan so please help the Marines and/or the High School by donating your unwanted items to raise funds with no capital outlay. All the funds raised go directly to the High School Groups and to the Marines. For more information you can contact Mav at MavBresete@aol.com or Mike Bland at 35bland@gmail.com
Council Member Carruth offered that she attended the homecoming for the India Company of the Dark Horse Marines in Camp Pendleton. She said there were hundreds of people there, Mariner’s Church was there giving out cookies, drinks, stickers and t-shirts. She said she and Mr. Bland had the opportunity to visit with lots of parents who were fully aware of all the support from the City of Laguna Hills over the past 6 months. The wounded warriors were there to greet their brothers as well. She also requested that the 3/5 Banner at the Community Center be left there until after the Memorial Day activities so the participating Marines and their families could see it. – Vote all agreed to leave the banner in place until after Memorial Day.
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 until the next city council meeting so there is a long delay for the public related to timely information from the city.
Consent Calendar - Warrant Register = $918,434.56
Items of interest from the Warrant Register - None
** Citizen's Survey for 2011 - cost is $8,425.00 and results should be in at the May 10, 2011 City Council Meeting.
Items of Interest from the Consent Calendar: **Items on the Consent Calendar are placed there by City Staff.
Item 4.3 - Amendment #2 to Community Development Block Grant & Home Programs - According to the staff report continued participation in this County of Orange Urban County designed to assist small cities (populations under 50,000) in the administration of Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds through the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program will allow the City to block grant funds for the Aliso Meadows Condominium Association and facility rehabilitation project at the Florence Sylvester Senior Center that qualify. The City's participation in this program was extended for 3 years to June 30, 2015.
Fiscal Impact to the City - Staff Time spent on the projects to determine eligibility
Item 4.4 - Urban Village Specific Plan Amendment adding 117,000 sq. ft of retail space, making a revision to General Plan's Housing Element to establish a minimum residential density of 30 residential units per acre and reducing the amount of open space to 10% in the area of 240 acres bounded by Paseo de Valencia on the north and west, Los Alisos on the south and I-5 freeway on the east.
Item 4.5 - Progress payment for Citywide Pavement
Item 4.6 - Weed Abatement Program - Staff report states the 2011 Schedule is: March - Inspect properties in the City for weed abatement issues, April 26 - Adopt a weed nuisance resolution, April 27, mail notices to offending property owners of scheduled Public Hearing, May 24, hold a public hearing, June 20 Initiate City weed abatement for non-compliant properties, June 30 Send notice to property owners of abatement costs and scheduled public hearing, July 12 Hold Public hearing on weed abatement costs, July 26, Submit costs to County Assessor's Office. Notices will be sent to approx. 530 properties in the City.
Fiscal Impact to City - Approx. $40,000 - some of this amount will be recovered through tax assessments on private parcels and the rest is annual clearing of City owned properties. List of offending property owners is published online under Agenda for April 26, 2011 - City Council 2011 Weed Abatement Pgrm. #8 under Files.
Item 4.7 - Urban Forestry Grant for the Green Trees for the Golden State Program
Staff report states the City requested and received a grant through the State of CA in the amount of $100.000 ($75,000 grant and $25,000 in matching funds to be supplied by the City) for 600 15 gal. trees. City plans to plant 500 trees in vacant parkways in front of residential properties, in the area bounded by Alicia, Paseo de Valencia, Cabot Rd. and the I-5 freeway. The additional 100 trees are proposed to be planted along the bike trail between Via Lomas St. and Moulton Pkwy.
Fiscal Impact to City - $65,000 in matching funds.
Item 4.8 - Measure M2 Environmental Cleanup Allocation Grant Pgrm. - Staff report states the City is proposing to apply for a grant from the M2 Environmental Cleanup Allocation Program for funds to be used to meet Federal Clean Water Act standards for controlling transportation-generated pollution. Staff is proposing the installation of debris gates or retractable catch basin screens at 69 of the approximately 561 catch basins catch basin locations throughout the City. They will be install along major arterials, commercial, light industrial areas and residential areas. They are stated to have a life span of approx. 10 years. An estimated $2.8 Million in Measure M2 funds are being made available to eligible applicants including Orange County cities and the County of Orange the maximum grant is $100,000 per project. In their application the City States the population of the City is 33,500. It also says the City has installed debris gates at approx. 170 locations in the City since 2005. Inspections of the debris gates will e completed by the City's Street Maintenance Supervisor whose hourly salary plus benefits is stated to be $87.30 per hour - inspections over a 10 year period are expected to be $7,028.00. Catch basins are to be inspected and cleaned by hand annually prior to the rainy season and hourly cost for County Cleaning Crews is $64 per hour so this cost over 10 years is expected to be $17, 250.
Fiscal Impact to City - $65,000
Items Pulled from the Consent Calendar - NONE
The Consent Calendar was passed as is by a Vote of 5-0
Planning Agency Public Hearing - Item 5.4.1 - Conditional Use Permit Master Sign Pgrm. Request from G&M Oil Company, Inc. to reconstruct the existing Gas Station and add a new 1,316 sq. ft. convenience store located at 23991 El Toro Rd.
(**Editor's note this is the gas station to which the City just paid $1,590,431.54 for a 15 foot wide portion of the property to accommodate the right-of-way for the widening of El Toro Rd at Avenida de la Carlota)
Staff report states this request is for a complete redesign and reconstruction of the Chevron Gas Station site including new fueling islands and canopy and a new 1,316 sq ft. convenience store, new signage and new landscaping. The site is now non-conforming related to it's smaller size (16,160 sq. ft.) due to the Carlota St. widening , site design and signage.
Staff Recommendation is to approve the Conditional Use Permit.
*** This item was continued for the second time and will now reportedly be heard on May 10.
Planning Agency Adjourned
City Council Public Hearings - Item 6.1 - Amending the Zoning and Subdivisions section of the Laguna Hills City Code to permit Seasonal Strawberry Stands in Some Commercial Districts subject to the approval of a Temporary Use Permit.
Staff Report states - A proposed amendment adds strawberry stands under category of outdoor sales and Christmas Trees and Pumpkin sales are proposed to be included in this same section. This limits these temporary uses to commercial district, provides better protection for residential districts, are in line with surrounding cities and simplifies the code. Strawberry Stands are limited to 120 consecutive days per calendar year and there is a signage policy for the stands.
There were no Public Comments Vote – Passed 5-0
Administrative Reports - **These Items are authored by City Staff - None
Other Business - **These Items are authored by Council Members -
Item 8.1 - Laguna Hills High School Grad Nite Funding Request - The City donates $4000 to support this event each year. This year in a letter from resident Meg Gorham a one time request of an additional $1,500 has been requested to match the Win-Win-Wednesday Funds collected and to assist in providing a safe and sober alternative event for our graduating seniors. Meg pointed out in her request that in its first 4 months WWW has generated close to $10,000 in revenue in Laguna Hills restaurants.
Council Member Bressette asked pointed out the difficulty of raising funds this year and asked that this one time request be passed. Council Member Carruth stated she seconded this motion for purposes of discussion and said the council has supported this over the years and question the appropriateness of giving more gifts. She said we are donating police services for the event and asking for contributions rather than a gift from the tax payers. Council Member Lautenschleger agreed saying we have already given $4000. Where do we draw the line? $4000 plus law enforcement is enough. Council Member Kogerman agreed that it is a public safety event and giving public funds of $4000 plus.
Vote was 4 – 1 against giving the additional $1500. Council Member Bressette was the dissenting vote.
Council Member Bressette donated $500 of his own funds, Council Member Carruth donated $200, Council Member Kogerman also made a donation at the meeting.
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
Council Member Bressette stated this is Wildfire Awareness Week so need for weed abatement is now, plus attention to prevention of fires in the home through the OC Fire Authority. Check all your home smoke alarms and fire extinguishers to be sure they are in working condition now.
Closed Session - None
Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday May 10, 7 pm, at City Hall. The PUBLIC BUDGET WORKSHOPS have been completed and we will publish a Brief Special Report from the April 19th 5 hour Budget Meeting soon. There will also be a PUBLIC HEARING on the City Budget in June.
================================
City Council & City Manager Report Card - Number 8 for 2011
Categories - (T) Transparency for Citizens, (A) Accountability to Citizens, (CI) Championing Citizen Related Issue, (AG) Achieving Citizen Related Goal Grades - (P) Pass, (A) for Authoring a Citizen Friendly Item, (F) Fail, (A+) Extra Credit. City Manager will be scored related to online and agendized Staff Reports and Requests
**This was a mixed bag related to citizen issues so unable to determine grading for council members. If Songstad and Lautenschleger chip in it appears that the additional funding for LHHS Grad Night will have been accomplished.
Bressette -
Carruth -
Kogerman -
Lautenschleger -
Songstad -
City Manager - A - for combining and simplyfing the City Temporary Use Permits - Thank you to Vern Jones, Community Development Director.
INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers:
MAYOR SONGSTAD'S REMARKS ABOUT STATS FROM ABOUT IRVINE SHELTER
Mayor Songstad’s remarks about the animal statistics from the Irvine Shelter open up more interesting information. The Irvine shelter does not “adopt” animals from a rescue center. The Irvine shelter goes to “kill” shelters and transfers pets about to be euthanized. This is stated in the article that the Mayor found about the Irvine Shelter: http://www.ocregister.com/news/irvine-115908-ocprint-shelter-animal.html Because of this 3rd chance program, the citizens of Irvine can then go to a humane shelter and have a much wider selection. This includes many puppies from moms that would have been put down at the kill shelter. Irvine has over 500 volunteers and many of them, including myself, have fostered many, many puppies and kittens. At the county shelter that our city contracts with, puppies and kittens are euthanized because they are too young to be spayed/neutered and therefore cannot be adopted. Here’s how this win-win program allegedly “skews” the data. Assuming not any transfer pets were euthanized at Irvine, this would only change the euthanasia rate from 7.5% to 10.5% as compared to Laguna Hills animals being put down by the county at a 42% rate. The reason the Irvine rate does not change significantly is because The Irvine Shelter only euthanizes in accordance with the Hayden Act. The Irvine Shelter does not kill healthy adoptable animals for lack of space, and they go much further. They save puppies and the kittens whenever possible. Citizens of Irvine willingly donate money to make this transfer program possible. These dogs and cats are of the same caliber that the county shelter would euthanize by labeling them too young, too feral, or just plain not worth saving. Valerie Bromberg
THE SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS OF TRAILS ALONG ALISO CREEK
On Saturday the 16th of April, I accompanied Council Member Carruth on a tour of both sides of the creek from the I-5 overpass to Paseo de Valencia. Since she has been observing this area for several years during the creek clean-up days, she was able to confirm the tremendous amount of damage created by this year's storms. I also talked with Council Member Lautenshager who indicated that he had toured the bike path and noted the shear drop-off safety condition, I thought it would be good to acknowledge these two for making the effort to follow up on my concern for this issue. Both confirmed the need to get Supervisor Bates to tour the area and get the County moving on repairing the damage. Jonathan Bromberg
LIEs ON THE CITY WEB SITE
Go to http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/ , then go to Public Official’s Compensation Report, scroll down to Management Staff Compensation-City Manager, search for the small underlined word “here” at the bottom of the 3rd paragraph and click on it. You will find the “AT A GLANCE TABLE FOR CITY MANAGEMENT” for 2010. Take a good look and just as the Watch Dog said there is absolutely no mention of the City Manager’s $60,000 car purchased in 2009. All it says is “Auto Allowance - $0”. The City screamed at Barbara Kogerman for adding the price of the car to Channing’s compensation, the contract for the car states it’s being paid over 5 years with City funds and Channing's contract with the City of Laguna Hills states under Equipment A - City shall provide Channing with a City leased or owned Automobile for the term of this Agreement. Since this car is exclusively for Channing who uses it for City business and takes it home for his own personal use this should be taxable income for Channing but it is not mentioned anywhere in his online compensation report. This City continues to lie to the citizens and apparently believe we are all stupid and/or have faulty memories and will vote for them in every election because their names are on the ballot. If they lie about this, we know they are lying about many other things as well, so when and how do we get the transparency we voted for? Kathryn
(**Editor’s note – We got an answer to your question at the 4-19-2011 Laguna Hills City Council Budget Session when Council Member Kogerman asked Assistant City Manager Don White, “What is included in “personnel costs”? White responded, “All costs associated with personnel.” Kogerman’s then asked about the City Manager’s car not being included and White responded that was not a personnel cost and would be under Capital Outlay as an asset of the City. Unfortunately we are unable to answer your question about when do we get transparency because we don’t know, but we suspect it will not come easily from city council members who are entrenched in this system they created.)
Contact the Laguna Hills City Council Members at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
WIN WIN Wednesdays Never Tasted So Good !
Here's the lineup for - WWW Global Cuisine - Please Download your flyers to give to each restaurant to get the 20% for Win-Win-Wednesday's Safe & Sane Grad Night for LHHS at http://www.winwinwednesdays.com/
April 27 – Hot Off The Grill at 25252 La Paz Rd. at McIntyre next to the 7-11.
May - WWW Celebrates MOMs
May 4 Polly's Pies - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Mother's Day Pie Orders
May 11 Mother's Market & Kitchen - Restaurant & Juice Bar
May 18
May 25 Ruby's Diner - LH Mall
June - Saluting Seniors 2011
June 1 California Pizza Kitchen - LH Mall
June 8 BJ's Brewhouse & Restaurant
June 15 Elephant Bar - LH Mall
June 20 LHHS PTSA's Grad Nite Preview Night Event
June 22 Special WWW Surprise TBA
How to support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills
Donation Checks can be made specifically to "Laguna Hills Team Dark Horse" and mailed to - Team Dark Horse, 27251 Lost Colt Dr., Laguna Hills, CA. 92653. Non-profit corporation status is pending. e-mail Mike Bland at 35bland@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, for information, or about donations, etc. and the city e-mail for the 3/5 is 3/5-support@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us The City Clerk Peggy Johns is the City Liaison to the 3/5 Support Committee. Go to the City web site at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/
Be sure to see the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adopted Marines Great new Facebook page created by Karen Robbins at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laguna-Hills-TeamDarkhorse/132765660119128 and share it with your friends!!
** Please remember to donate all your usable unwanted items to the 3/5 Marines at the Laguna Hills High School Swap Meet this Saturday – Please see instructions above under Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report and a Huge thank you to Mav Bressette who has pulled this Swap Meet together for the 3/5 Marines and to Win-Win Meg Gorham who donated the fee for the tables for the 3/5 at the Swap Meet.
*** Also thanks to all of you who have so generously donated funds to support the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines. Eli, the bomb sniffing Labrador Retriever, (to see original story click on: http://ocpets.ocregister.com/2011/02/03/family-adopts-fallen-marines-service-dog/82914 ) who was adopted by the family of a fallen 20 year old Marine, Colton Rusk, who worked with Eli and loved him in Afghanistan will soon have a reunion with the 3/5 Marines . Watch for this story in OC Register Newspaper.
2 news stories about the 3/5 Marines:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/mar/19/marine-pays-tribute-brother-arms/
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Pendletons-35-to-Return-Home-118654254.html
News Stories and Blogs about Laguna Hills: Click on the links below to see the stories.
After attacks, city-manager-compensation sleuths win state award March 21st, 2011, posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/03/21/after-attacks-city-manager-compensation-sleuths-win-state-award/78545/#comment-139633 Go to http://www.publicceo.com/ for more of this story.
No more $60,000 SUVs for city manager?
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/02/09/no-more-60000-suvs-for-city-manager/75030/
Gold-plated benefits? New councilwoman just says ‘no’ http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/01/18/gold-plated-benefits-new-councilwoman-just-says-no/72532/
OCREGISTER: Laguna Hills councilwoman says no to health benefits http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-282972-benefits-council.html
O.C. cities lavished health benefits on council members
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/12/06/oc-cities-lavished-health-benefits-on-council-members/69544/
Who has the best-paid city council in California? (updated)
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/12/02/who-has-the-best-paid-city-council-incalifornia/69418/
In Laguna Hills the Taxpayers pay the entire cost of heath care premiums for the elected part time city council members and their families. In addition, the City Manager's contract states "To the extent that payment of all or any portion of the dependent rate of premium, is not approved by the city council for all city employees, Channing shall be entitled to a salary increase or cash payment sufficient to cover the amount of premium or rate for dependent coverage not provided by the City plus applicable income taxes on that amount.
OCREGISTER: Kenneth Frank: In defense of city managers
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-277030-manager-laguna.html
"Citizens, in turn, must do their part to foster civic pride. They should demand that city council and planning meetings be televised and streamed online. And they need to become involved. In Laguna Beach, we have numerous homeowners associations and environmental, business and labor groups that encourage the exchange of ideas and enhance the interactivity between residents and elected officials.
OCREGISTER: Chris Norby: Local officials susceptible to 'Bell syndrome
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/elected-276253-city-syndrome.html
"Bell syndrome thrives where elected boards vote in lockstep, where groupthink is elevated, and skeptics are ostracized, and where top staff are seen as irreplaceable experts – with rubber-stamped salaries to prove it. Bell syndrome thrives when self-congratulation trumps self-examination."
State Controller John Chaing's Office
http://www.sco.ca.gov/noncompliant_reports.html#cities2
OC has two of state’s best-paid city managers
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/09/17/oc-has-two-of-states-best-paid-city-managers/64492/
OC Register Editorial: City pay data belongs in daylight
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-261556-compensation-cities.html
Proposed California law would sanction cities that pay excessive salaries
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-bell-legislation-20100812,0,4204782,email.story
* City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public? Memorable and surprising Public Quotes from City Council Members
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.
October 25, 2005 - Mayor Allan Songstad, speaking about the Laguna Hills City Council said, "When you've been doing business in a certain way for 13 years you're not likely to change that."
So true, Allan, so unfortunately true unless you change members of the city council.
August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Allan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus - August 19, 1994 LYNN FRANEY - Laguna Hills Councilman Declines to Run for Reelection With Councilman L. Allan Songstad Jr. declining to run for reelection, at least one newcomer will gain a seat on the City Council this fall. Songstad said he never intended to run for a second council term and that he is not a "career politician." That leaves space for at least one of the challengers, Cindy Greengold, Saeid Hariri, Grant R. Marcus or Charmane Riggs.
Now, in 2011 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."
"CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD"
www.ocregister.com/saddleback scroll down to "Local Maps" Click on OCSC Crime Calls in the pull down box that says "MORE" 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. Weekly Crime reports in Laguna Hills By CLAIRE WEBB, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER http://www.ocregister.com/news/block-281462-report-drive.html See a map of all crime calls in the city in the past 24 hours by visiting ocregister.com/lagunahills The blotter was compiled by Claire Webb and consists of selected items from the Orange County Sheriff's Department web site, ocsd.org.There is 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. LIVE TRAFFIC MAPS Caltrans Online Traffic Maps to instantly check traffic and any incidents on the 405/5 freeways at any time of day. On the tool bar, you can hit "Change Cities," and it shows whatever you put in there - inland, San Diego,etc. http://www.sigalert.com/map.asp?Region=Orange+County#lat=33.69964&lon=-117.80006&z=1
Contact all of the Laguna Hills City Council Members at: ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the Orange County Register
Letters to the Editor: E-mail to letters@ocregister.com. Please provide your name, city and telephone number (telephone numbers will not be published). Letters of about 200 words will be given preference. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity
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