CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
June 18, 2003
2:00 P.M.
Mayor Hack called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Woods to order at 2:00 p.m.
Mayor Hack led the Flag salute.
III. ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Bouer, Ross, McLaughlin, Ring, Hack
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Keane; City Attorney Biggs; City Clerk Condon; Community Development Director Barr, Assistant City Manager Reilly
None
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Ring, seconded by Councilmember Ross and carried unanimously to adopt Proclamations 5.1 through 5.4.
5.1 Commendation – Helen Luntz – 100 years old
5.2 Commendation – Woody Bowersock
5.3 Proclamation – Relay for Life
5.4 Commendation – Senior Services Adult Day Care Facility (Ratify)
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Ring, seconded by Councilmember Ross, and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items 6.1 through 6.6.
6.1 Approved City Council Minutes from the regular meeting of May 16, 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 filed May 2003 monthly Treasurer’s Report.
6.4 Approved the June 18, 2003 Warrant Register in the amount of $814,505.20
6.5 El Toro Road West
6.6 Moulton Parkway Solar-Powered Flashing Beacon Project.
Awarded a contract to Baxter-Griffin Company, Inc., in the amount of $10,500 plus authorized change orders not to exceed 15% of the base amount; and authorized the City Manager to execute a contract and approve change orders, subject to approval of the contract as to form by the City Attorney.
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
VIII. COUNCIL BUSINESS
8.1 City Hall Exterior Lighting
Mayor Hack discussed lighting the City Hall sign above the building entrance. Moved by Mayor Hack, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ring and carried 4 to 1 to authorize an expenditure of $4,200 from the Council contingency account to light the City Hall sign above the building entrance.
ROLL CALL
AYES: COUNCILEMMBER: Bouer, Ross, Ring, Hack
NOES: COUNCILMEMBER: McLaughlin
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER: None
8.2 Fence Standards
Mayor Pro Tem Ring requested Council discuss the use of chain link fences along major thoroughfares and the length of time a fence should be considered temporary.
City Manager Keane reported that chain link fencing is only prohibited in residential areas, but concerns have been expressed with the use of chain link fencing along major thoroughfares. She advised staff feels chain link fencing would be acceptable along major thoroughfares if camouflaged with significant landscaping. Chain link fencing currently in place would be grandfathered in. Both the Orange County Sheriff and Orange County Fire Department have expressed concerns over the use of razor wire. Staff advised that any razor wire currently in use would also be grandfathered in.
Kevin Culbertson, representing GRF, requested chain link fencing continue to be permitted along major thoroughfares without a landscaping requirement due to cost.
Council discussed the time frame that temporary chain link fencing should be permitted.
After further discussion, staff was requested to return in September with language to address the aesthetic impacts of fencing along major thoroughfares and to clarify the definition of temporary fencing.
9.1 Fats, Oil & Grease (FOG) Ordinance
Community Development Director Barr reported the fats, oils and grease (FOG) discharges have been determined to be a significant cause of sewer blockages that result in sewer spills that ultimately reach local receiving waters and negatively impact water quality. While sewer systems are the responsibility of the sewer agencies, local NPDES permits require cities to adopt local ordinances to reduce the amount of FOG that enters the sewer system and contribute to sewer blockages. He advised the proposed ordinance establishes requirements to eliminate FOG from the sewer system. These requirements include provisions for grease control devices in new and remodeled food facilities, inspection procedures, maintenance schedules and discharge standards. .
Director Barr advised public hearing notices were mailed to all food facilities within Laguna Woods.
Paul Arndt, Geneva Presbyterian Church, requested churches be omitted from the ordinance. Director Barr advised they were omitted.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Ring, seconded by Councilmember McLaughlin and carried unanimously to introduce and approve first reading of an Ordinance establishing regulations for facilities that prepare food, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 4.60 REGARDING THE DISPOSAL OF FATS, OILS AND GREASE FROM FOOD FACILITIES
9.2 Fiscal Year 2003-04 Annual Budget
City Manager Keane discussed the budget policies used in preparing the Fiscal Year 2003-04 base budget.
The proposed budget did not contain any new or increased taxes and continues the current suspension of cable television franchise fees that could be levied against service subscribers.
The proposed budget totals $7,367,364, spread among the following Funds:
General Fund $ 4,557,284
Transportation Fund 2,103,212
Self Insurance Fund 49,800
Grant Fund 657,068
The General Fund budget proposal continued all existing program at current services levels.
The proposed budgets anticipated an unbudgeted Fund balance at the end of Fiscal Year 2003-04 of $5,856,958, spread among the following Funds:
General Fund $ 4,091,173
Self Insurance Fund 500,000
Transportation Fund 721,970
Grants Fund 543,815
Staff proposed three supplemental capital improvement projects:
(Smith’s Food property) 65,942 Park Bond Funds
136,508 General Fund
Park
OR
Dog Park Improvements $ 19,000 General Fund*
Kevin Culbertson, representing GRF, requested the City initiate discussion on proposed park projects with GRF.
City Manager Keane stated that in addition to these capital improvement projects, the Community Services Committee suggested the following two new General Fund projects:
City Manager Keane advised the Ridge Route sidewalk and Linear Park, if approved, would be brought back to Council with specific plans. She also recommended the City Information Guide and Local Transportation Map be combined for a total cost of $20,000.
The Council consensus was to approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2003-04 budget, capital improvement projects, three supplemental capital improvement projects (Woods End Fence and Entryway, City Centre Park and Ridge Route Sidewalk and Linear Park) and the modified map projects as recommended by the City Manager and for staff to provide the required resolutions to adopt the recommendations at the June 30, 2003 meeting.
City Manager Keane discussed the continuation of the senior mobility taxi voucher program. Council previously approved the extension of the basic program. Staff is requesting the extension of the destination-specific vouchers that offer additional discounts.
Moved by Councilmember Bouer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ring, and carried 4 to 1 to extend the Senior Transit Services special taxi discount voucher program location-specific vouchers) through Fiscal Year 2003-04, subject to continued Orange County Transportation Authority funding.
ROLL CALL
AYES: COUNCILMEMBER: Bouer, Ross, Ring, Hack
NOES: COUNCILMEMBER: McLaughlin
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER: None
City Attorney Biggs had nothing to report.
11.1 Laguna Canyon Foundation (Mayor Pro Tem Ring)
Mayor Pro Tem Ring reported the Foundation met at City Hall and was updated on the Nix interpretive center.
11.2 Coastal Greenbelt Authority (Mayor Pro Tem Ring)
Mayor Pro Tem Ring reported they did not meet.
11.3 El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (Mayor Hack)
Mayor Hack reported they were working with the state and federal government regarding Los Angeles’ attempt to manage an airport at El Toro.
11.3 Orange County Corridor Authorities (Mayor Hack)
Mayor Hack reported a joint exploratory committee is examining the merger of the San Joaquin and Foothill Eastern toll roads.
11.4 Vector Control District (Councilmember Bouer)
Councilmember Bouer reported the meeting was tomorrow.
11.5 Library Board (Councilmember McLaughlin)
Councilmember McLaughlin thanked Councilmember Ross for attending and stated they are still awaiting the state budget.
City Manager Keane announced the Laguna Woods Library hours increased one hour every day. The new hours are 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m.
11.6 Orange County Fire Authority (Councilmember Ross)
Councilmember Ross reported the meeting was tomorrow. .
XII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
XIII. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmembers congratulated Woody Bowersock for his swimming accomplishments.
City Manager Keane announced the City received a clean audit for fiscal year 2001-2002 and no management letter was received, which means there were no recommended improvements. She thanked staff involved in this project.
XIV. CLOSED SESSION
City Manager Keane reported there was no need for a closed session.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council will be held at 3:00 p.m. June 30, 2003 at the Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92653.
____________________________________________
SUSAN M. CONDON, City Clerk
Adopted: July 16, 2003
______________________________________________
BERT HACK, Mayor
