Minutes – April 2, 2008

CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING

April 2, 2008

2:00 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Hack called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Woods to order at 2:00 p.m.

II. FLAG SALUTE

Councilmember Bouer led the flag salute.

III. ROLL CALL

COUNCILMEMBERS: PRESENT:   Bouer, Robbins, Ross, Ring, Hack

                ABSENT:    None

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Keane; City Attorney McEwen; Assistant City Manager Reilly; City Clerk Condon; Community Manager Foley

IV. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

City Manager Keane noted that this meeting kicks off the City’s Fiscal Year 2008-09 budget process. Revenue projections include a slight increase in both base property tax and vehicle license fees and slight decreases in local taxes/franchises, and miscellaneous such as interest, fines and penalties. General Fund revenues are expected to be adequate to meet current staffing and core program needs.

City Manager Keane answered questions from Council and noted that additional funding is requested for replacement of computer equipment; subscription to California Channel for LWV Channel 31; Laguna Woods Village streetlight rewiring and a planning intern to finish indexing county building records.

Corky Eli, resident, questioned how the City could increase property taxes and sales taxes; and requested information about Community Development department expenditures and grants to purchase the Laguna Woods Village buses. City Manager Keane explained the City was not able to increase those taxes without a vote of the electorate, but that the City budget showed an expected increase in revenues in the taxes. She also explained the various items paid for under the Community Development Department and advised that the City had not distributed a grant to the LW Village for buses.

Karen Wood, resident and President of the Laguna Woods Village Cat Club, read a letter and provided copies for council which expressed her concern with the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter’s handling of cats and presented several solutions.

Jean Bland, resident of Laguna Hills, advised she was with the South County Animal Shelter Coalition and stated that even with the animal control services problems at the Orange County Shelter, County services for cats are better than those provided by Laguna Beach.

Marie Sunde, resident, concurred with Karen Woods’ comments and stated cats have to be sheltered somewhere.

City Manager Keane stated that the new Animal Services Committee would be addressing issues related to all types of animals.

Marty Rhodes, resident, questioned if the enlargement of the dog park and landscaping along Ridge Route was in the proposed budget. City Manger Keane advised the funding for the dog park and landscaping was in the current budget and would be carried forward.

Councilmember Robbins recommended funding the requests for replacement of computer equipment; subscription to California Channel for LWV Channel 31; and for a planning intern to finish indexing county building records from the current Economic Uncertainties budget. Councilmembers and City Manager Keane discussed the recommendation. City Manager Keane advised that there was approximately $13,000 in excess revenue that could be used for the planning intern and subscription to the California Channel. She also recommended that since they are one time expenditures, the replacement computer equipment and streetlight rewiring be funded through the unbudgeted General Fund balance.

Council consensus was to add in the replacement computer equipment and the subscription to the California Channel. Mayor Hack questioned what a subscription to the California Channel would provide and Community Manager Foley advised that the California Channel covers the state legislature.

Mayor Hack turned the meeting over to Mayor Pro Tem Ring and left the meeting.

Brief discussion was held on the streetlight wiring replacement.

Mayor Hack entered the room and reassumed the Chair.

Council consensus was to go forward with the streetlight rewiring and planning intern.

Mayor Pro Tem Ring questioned whether the annexation of Laguna Laurel would increase fire or sheriff expenses. City Manager Keane advised that costs for these services were not expected to increase. Discussion was held on fire breaks along the City borders.

Council had no further comments on the budget.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m. The next meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on April 16, 2008 at the Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA

__________________________________

SUSAN M. CONDON, City Clerk

Adopted: May 21, 2008

__________________________________

BERT HACK, Mayor