CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
April 3, 2002
2:00 P.M.
Mayor Bouer called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Woods to order at 2:00 p.m.
Councilmember Ring led the Flag salute.
III. ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Ring, Ross, Hack, McLaughlin, Bouer
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Keane; Deputy City Attorney Subramanian; City Clerk Condon; Assistant City Manager Reilly; Community Development Director Gomez, City Engineer Nelson; Lauren Barr, Manager, Planning Services
None.
Moved by Councilmember Ring, seconded by Councilmember Hack and carried unanimously to adopt Proclamations 5.1.
5.1 Proclamation – National Fair Housing Month
None
VIII. COUNCIL BUSINESS
None
9.1 El Toro Road Alternative Vehicle Trail
City Manager Keane reported that the El Toro Road traffic study was initiated by the City in response to growing concerns about increasing traffic levels on El Toro Road and its impact on the community. She provided an explanation of the background of the plan being presented and the work done by the work group and traffic engineering firm of KHR Associates. She names and thanked El Toro Work Group members and members of the initial golf cart trail subcommittee.
City Manager Keane also discussed the General Plan and reported that the Alternative Vehicle Trail could have a positive affect on the number of cars on the road and allow possible rezone of property.
Jim Kawamura of KHR Associates discussed the objective of the multi-purpose trail, which was to relieve congestion, improve traffic safety and enhance mobility and accessibility. He further expanded on key physical elements, key safety and aesthetic elements, the constraints and challenges and overall design issues. Discussion was held relating to state law restrictions of sidewalks and what could be allowed on the trail.
Jim Kawamura and City Manager Keane provided explanations of the plans posted along the side of the room and answered questions.
Moved by Councilmember Ross, seconded by Councilmember Ring to approve the conceptual plan for the El Toro Road alternative vehicle trail.
Discussion was held on the benefits and problems of the conceptual plan. City Manager Keane advised that staff would focus only on what could be done safely and would return with final plans for Council action.
Discussion was held regarding the insurance and legal liabilities of the Alternative Vehicle Trail traveling on public and private property. City Manager Keane reported that she had preliminary discussion with the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) and at that time they did not express any undue concern. She further reported that discussions would need to be held with the private property owners. Also, preliminary discussion has been held with Laguna Hills to allow golf cart crossings to Saddleback Hospital and the Laguna Hills mall. Permission has not yet been received.
Discussion was held on approving only a portion of the plan. City Manager Keane advised that the whole concept would need to be approved, but then the plan would be segmented and the City could proceed with only the segments it felt were safe and appropriate.
Don Kornreich, 657-P, discussed possible funding for this type of project under the federal T21 program.
Milt Robbins, 3465-B, President of GRF, and John Clay, PCM representing GRF; advised that GRF was in opposition to the trail and requested the Council not approve the concept. Concern was expressed that the trail would affect the Circulation Element in the General Plan by eliminating trips allowed on El Toro and thus lower the trip rating even more
City Manager Keane advised the trail would not eliminate any of the trips remaining on Moulton parkway. Only automobile trips count in the calculation of traffic in the Circulation Element of the General Plan. The trail could actually free up trips and allow for additional zoning opportunities.
Bert Taubman, 256-P, reported that United would be looking at opening portions of the wall for pedestrians and golf carts and that this should be considered by the City.
Tom Jorde, 178-B, a member of the El Toro Work Group, spoke strongly in favor of the trail and requested that Council pursue it.
Denis Welch, 5517-1C, reported that a golf cart was her prime transportation and encouraged the Council to approve the concept plan.
Moved by Councilmember Hack and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem McLaughlin to amend the motion and require an insurance and legal liability analysis relating to the trail traveling through both private and public land prior to approving the concept plan.
Discussion was held on requiring analysis prior to approving the concept. Counsel advised they could provide an analysis on liability issues relating to the trail traveling through both private and public land.
The amendment failed 2 – 3.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Hack, McLaughlin
NOES: Bouer, Ring, Ross
ABSENT: None
The original motion passed 3-2.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Bouer, Ring, Ross
NOES: Hack, McLaughlin
ABSENT: None
City Manager Keane advised Council that staff understood that it needed to pursue a legal opinion on the City’s liability if it proceeded with this project.
9.2 Capital Improvement Program – Seven Year Program and Adjustments to Fiscal Year 01-02 Budget
City Manager Keane reminded Council that the Capital Improvement Program is a plan for the future, and that each year Council approves that year’s budget.
Assistant City Manager Reilly advised that staff reorganized the Capital Improvement Program format to provide detailed information about individual projects and anticipated funding sources. Assistant City Manager Reilly provided an overview of the CIP for FY’s 2001-02 through 2007-08, which included repaving, pedestrian improvements, the alternative vehicle trail, landscape improvements to road mediums, traffic signals and directional signage.
Assistant City Manager Reilly recommended changes in funding, totaling $3,500. In addition, he noted that budgets approved in the prior year were being carried into the current year.
Moved by Councilmember Ring, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem McLaughlin, and carried unanimously to:
9.2 Transportation Services – Review of Current Programs
Assistant City Manager Reilly noted that $100,000 was approved in FY 2001-02 budget, and that approximately $60,000 of this is obligated to current projects. Staff is proposing to carry over the balance of $40,000 in transportation services funding in the FY 2002-03 Annual Budget to implement a travel training program, coordinate marketing with OCTA and reissue the transit guides.
He requested direction from Council for FY 2002-03 items. Councilmember Ross discussed assisting residents to use OCTA. Mayor Pro Tem McLaughlin discussed extending the sidewalk past the equestrian center.
Deputy City Attorney Subramanian reported that there was no report.
None
XIII. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Ring advised that the Laguna Coast Foundation will have a Hike and Help walk on Saturday, April 20, 2002. Flyers are available.
Councilmember Hack discussed a proposed initiative for the November election.
XIV. CLOSED SESSION
City Manager Keane reported that there were no items for closed session.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m. to the Regular Meeting of the City Council at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at the Leisure World Administration Building, Board Room, 23522 Paseo de Valencia, Laguna Woods, California
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SUSAN M. CONDON, City Clerk
Adopted April 17, 2002
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ROBERT BOUER, Mayor
