CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
December 17, 2003
2:00 P.M.
Mayor Ring called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Woods to order at 2:00 p.m.
Councilmember McLaughlin the Flag salute.
III. ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Bouer, Hack, McLaughlin, Ross, Ring
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Keane; Deputy City Attorney Wohlenberg; City Clerk Condon; Community Services Manager Foley
4.1 Water Quality Awards
City Manager Keane presented awards to the winners of the City’s Citizen Water Quality Expert crossword puzzle on causes and consequences of urban runoff. The four winners were Barbara Mapp, Betsy Martin, Dave Blodgett and Bob Ring.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Ross, seconded by Councilmember Bouer and carried unanimously to adopt Proclamations 5.1 and 5.3.
5.1 Commendation – Captain David Anderson – Overachievers Awards – 2003 Firefighter of the Year
5.2 Commendation – Pearl Harbor Day – December 7, 2003
5.3 Proclamation – Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Ross, seconded by Councilmember McLaughlin, and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items 6.1 through 6.10.
6.1 Approved City Council Minutes from the Regular Meeting of November 19, 2003 and Adjourned Regular Meeting of November 21, 2003.
6.2 Approved the reading by title of all ordinances and resolutions. Said ordinances and resolutions that appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title only and further reading waived.
6.3 Received and File November 2003 Monthly Treasurer’s Report.
6.4 Approved the December 17, 2003 Warrant Register in the amount of $468,348.87.
6.5 Zoning Ordinance Amendment: Religious and Nonprofit Organization Temporary Signage Programs
Adopted Ordinance No. 03-09 entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT CODE (ZONING CODE) BY ADOPTING ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY SIGNAGE FOR RELIGIOUS INISTITUTIONS AND 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
6.6 City Investment Policy
Adopted Resolution No. 03-29 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, ACKNOWLEDGING THE REVIEW, RECEIPT AND FILING OF THE ANNUAL STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY
6.7 City Hall ADA Parking Lot Reconstruction Project
Awarded a contract to International Pavement Solutions, in the amount of $8,956.28, plus authorized change orders not to exceed 15% of the base amount, for the construction of city hall parking lot modifications to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements; and authorize the City Manager to execute said contract and approve change orders, subject to approval of the contract as to form by the City Attorney.
6.8 Moulton and El Toro Pedestrian Tunnels Easement
Adopted Resolution No. 03-30 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, GRANTING A NON-EXCLUSIVE AND REVOCABLE EASEMENT FOR THE USE OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TO THE GOLDEN RAIN FOUNDATION
6.9 City Centre Park – Application for Urban Park Bond Grant Funding
Adopted Resolution No. 03-31 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE URBAN PARK ACT OF 2001 PROGRAM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, AND COASTAL PROTECTION ACT OF 2002 FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRE CITY PARK
6.10 Woods End Nature Preserve – Application for Roberti-Z’Berg-Harris Block Grant Funding
Adopted Resolution No. 03-32 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 03-24, AND APPROVING AN APPLICATION TO APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ROBERTI-Z’BERG-HARRIS BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS AND COASTAL PROTECTION ACT OF 2002
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
VIII. CITY COUNCIL
8.1 Advisory Committee Appointments:
City Clerk Condon discussed the proposed nominations to the various Advisory Committees:
Moved by Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Councilmember Bouer and unanimously carried to approve the nominations to the advisory committees.
Transportation Advisory Committee Human Relations Advisory
Tom Jorde Ring Patricia Mayo Ross
Wally Gramberg Ring
Bob Morton Hack Planning Advisory Committee
Libby Marks Hack Milt Robbins Hack
Bob Miller Bouer Bea McArthur Bouer
Harry Schwartz Bouer
Kathy Vizzard McLaughlin Water Quality Committee
Linda Wilson McLaughlin Elliot Nesvig Bouer
Shirley O’Conner Ross
Frank Prophet Ross
Mayor Ring nominated Charles Hellmann to the newly vacant position on the Human Relations Committee. Moved by Mayor Ring, seconded by Councilmember Hack and unanimously carried to approve the appointment.
8.2 Local Taxpayers and Public Safety Act.
City Manager Keane advised the proposed resolution would support a statewide ballot initiative, which would allow voters to decide whether local tax funds may be taken, confiscated, shifted, diverted or otherwise used to fund state government operations.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Ross, seconded by Councilmember McLaughlin, and carried unanimously to approve Resolution No. 03-33 entitled
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING PROPOSED STATEWIDE BALLOT INITIATIVE TITLED THE LOCAL TAXPAYERS AND PUBLIC SAFETY PROTECTION ACT
9.1 Community Development Block Grant Energy Efficiency Program
Community Services Manager Foley advised bids were solicited for two energy efficient improvement CDBG projects: the installation or replacement of heat pump units and the installation and replacement of windows and doors.
To maximize the $50,000 in CDBG funding for the 20 qualified applicants, City has allocated approximately $2,500 per residential unit. The City Building Official met with each eligible applicant and developed a priority list of the items to be funded in each residential unit. Two bids were received for the installation and replacement of windows and doors. One bid was received for the installation or replacement of heat pumps.
Moved by Councilmember Bouer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ross, and carried unanimously to approve the following recommendations:
9.2 Cox Communications Cable Franchise Renewal
City Manager Keane advised the current franchise agreement expired in June 2003. The City has approved two resolutions temporarily extending this term so that renewal negotiations could be completed. Cox provides services to approximately 320 subscribers in the City. Most of these subscribers reside at the Fountains and Palm Terrace.
Cox has a limited number of current customers and limited ability to expand its customer base. However, Cox uses 2.20 miles of the City’s right-of-way to connect its adjacent franchise areas. The need for the use of the public right-of-way and the determination of a reasonable compensation for its use has created a unique negotiating situation for both Cox and the City. Staff remains concerned that if Cox’s subscriber base is reduced, the amount we receives for use of the public right of way (2.20 miles) will not be fair compensation for use of right of the public right of way to deliver services to other jurisdictions. A further extension of the existing franchise will allow staff to continue negotiations.
Moved by Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Councilmember Bouer, and carried unanimously to approve Resolution No. 03-34 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING A ONE-YEAR (365 DAY) TEMPORARY EXTENSION TO THE CABLE FRANCHISE HELD BY COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Deputy City Attorney Wohlenberg reported everything was fine with the city.
XII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
12.1 El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (Councilmember Hack)
Councilmember Hack advised the period of challenge to the LAFCO decision to grant the annexation of El Toro to Irvine has expired.
12.2 Orange County Corridor Authorities (Councilmember Hack)
Mayor Hack discussed that the merger between the San Joaquin and Foothill Eastern toll roads.
12.3 Vector Control District (Councilmember Bouer)
Councilmember Bouer advised there will be a meeting Thursday afternoon. He reported they are still trying to locate fire ant funding.
12.4 Library Board (Councilmember McLaughlin)
Councilmember McLaughlin advised there was no meeting.
12.5 Orange County Fire Authority (Mayor Pro Tem Ross)
Councilmember Ross reported the January meeting will take place at the new OCFA building on Jamboree. She announced she had been reappointed to the OCFA Legislative Committee which meets Thursday.
12.6 Laguna Canyon Foundation (Mayor Ring)
Mayor Rng reported the Foundation approved the building and interpretative program and there will be a meeting on Barbers Lake on January 15.
12.7 Coastal Greenbelt Authority (Mayor Ring)
Mayor Ring reported a $50,000 grant was received to fund replacement and restoration of the Nix Center.
XII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No requests to speak.
XIII. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Hack discussed the effects of the state budget.
City Manager Keane reported the City will lose approximately $1 million of VLF by the end of the year. The mid-year budget will be presented at a meeting on January 8, 2004 and possible adjustments will be presented at that time. City Manager Keane provided an explanation on the funding sources to the General Fund such as VLF, sales tax, transit occupancy, fees, etc. Funds received from the gas tax and Measure M are required to be spent on limited items and money not used must be returned.
Mayor Pro Tem Ross provided a toll free number 800-510-2020 and encouraged seniors to call with any questions for assistance.
Mayor Ring wished everybody a happy holiday season.
Council recessed into Closed Session at 2:40 p.m.
XIV. CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened in open session at 3:30 p.m. Moved by Councilmember Hack, seconded by Councilmember McLaughlin, and unanimously carried that City employees will be furloughed December 28, 30, 31, 2003 and January 2, 2004. City Hall will be closed from December 24 through January 2 and reopen on January 5, 2004.
Staff was requested to prepare a press release reporting the closure of city hall. The city hall Orange County Library branch will also be closed and books must be returned to other county branches.
There was no further reportable action.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m. An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council will be held at 1:30 p.m. January 8, 2004 Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92653.
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SUSAN M. CONDON, City Clerk
Adopted: January 21, 2004
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ROBERT B. RING, Mayor
