Minutes – December 12, 2007
Minutes – December 12, 2007
CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
December 12, 2007
2:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Robbins called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Woods to order at 2:00 p.m.
II. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Pro Tem Hack led the flag salute.
III. ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS: PRESENT: Bouer, Ring, Ross, Hack, Robbins
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Keane; City Attorney McEwen; Assistant City Manager Reilly; City Clerk Condon
IV. PRESENTATIONS
None
V. CITY PROCLAMATIONS
None
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by Councilmember Bouer, seconded by Councilmember Ring and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar Items 6.1 – 6.5.
6.1 Approved City Council minutes from the regular meeting of November 14, 2007 and the adjourned regular meeting of November 29, 2007.
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 November 2007 monthly Treasurer’s Reports.
6.4 Approved the December 12, 2007 Warrant Register in the amount of $590,785.83.
6.5 City Investment Policy
Adopted Resolution No. 07-24 ratifying the City’s 2007 Investment Policy, 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
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL
8.1 City Council Reorganization – Office of Mayor
Mayor Robbins commented on the items that were accomplished during his term as mayor of Laguna Woods such as the repavement of El Toro Road, negotiations on Moulton Parkway property, annexation of Laguna Laurel, taxi service, linear park, litter ordinance, and various other items.
Moved by Councilmember Ring, seconded by Councilmember Bouer and carried unanimously to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Hack as Mayor
ROLL CALL
Ayes: Councilmembers: Bouer, Ring, Ross, Hack, Robbins
Noes: Councilmembers: None
Absent: Councilmembers: None
Mayor Hack discussed the history of the city and the various people involved. He also commented on accomplishments of councilmembers who represented the City on county committees.
8.2 City Council Reorganization – Office of Mayor Pro Tem
Moved by Councilmember Robbins and carried unanimously to appoint Councilmember Ring as Mayor Pro Tem.
IX. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
9.1 2008 Community Services Grant Awards
City Manager Keane discussed the Community Services Grants Awards. A public notice inviting application for grants was published and application packets were mailed to fourteen non-profit organizations which requested information. Eight applications were received. The Social and Health Services Subcommittee reviewed the eight submitted applications and their recommendations were forwarded to the Community Services Committee. The Community Services Committee concurred with their recommendations for funding in 2008.
The Community Services Committee recommended the following grants to Council:
Braille Institute $20,000
GRF Friendly Visitors Program $10,000
South County Outreach $20,000
Saddleback Memorial Foundation $10,000
Trauma Intervention Program $ 5,000
Rebuilding Together $ 3,000
South County Senior Services $75,000
Moved by Councilmember Robbins, seconded by Councilmember Bouer and carried unanimously to:
A. Award a total of $68,000 in competitive Community Services grants to six grantees: The Braille Institute, GRF Friendly Visitor Program, South County Outreach formerly Saddleback Community Outreach, Saddleback Memorial Foundation, Trauma Intervention Program and Rebuilding Together
and
B. Award a total of $75,000 in Community Services grants to South County Senior Services for
* Adult Day Services $22,500
* Transportation Services $22,500
* General operations at Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center $30,000
9.2 Ridge Route Linear Park
Assistant City Manager Reilly presented a power point presentation on the conceptual design for the Ridge Route Linear Park.
Councilmember Ross questioned if the life stations would be installed immediately and staff advised that those would be approved at a later date by the Landscape Committee.
Mayor Hack expressed his concerns regarding the parking, width of the linear park and lighting. He was concerned that the improvements to the area might make this an attractive nuisance. Staff advised that the sheriff for Laguna Woods currently patrols the area and that the sheriff for Laguna Hills also patrol the adjoining area. City Manager Keane advised there would be an upright berm so that vehicles don’t drift into the area.
Councilmember Robbins, Ross and Bouer along with Mayor Pro Tem Ring indicated their support for the park as they felt the park would improve the aesthetics of the area.
City Manager Keane also stated that staff has discussed a pedestrian gate with the Laguna Woods Village. They have stated there are parking issues at Clubhouse 4, but indicated they would review the issue again at a later date.
Perry King, resident, expressed his support for a pedestrian gate.
Moved by Councilmember Robbins, seconded by Councilmember Ross and carried on a vote of 4-0-1 (Hack) to approve the conceptual design for Ridge Route Linear Park and authorized staff to finalize construction documents and solicit bids for construction. Mayor Hack stated he had abstained since he felt further studies were warranted.
X. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
City Attorney McEwen wished everyone a happy holiday and happy new year
XI. COMMITTEE REPORTS
11.1 Transportation Corridor Agencies (Mayor Hack)
Mayor Hack advised that TCA was attempting to negotiate with the Coastal Commission on the extension of the Foothill south.
11.2 Southern California Water Committee (Mayor Hack)
Mayor Hack advised that Los Angeles was discussing water rationing and that over one-third of local water comes from northern California.
11.3 Vector Control District (Councilmember Bouer)
Councilmember Bouer advised that there was very little problem in the water areas around the City.
11.4 Library Board (Councilmember Robbins)
Councilmember Robbins advised there was no report.
11.5 Orange County Fire Authority (Councilmember Ross)
Councilmember Ross reported there would not be a meeting in December.
11.6 Laguna Canyon Foundation (Mayor Pro Tem Ring)
Mayor Pro Tem Ring advised the Foundation celebrated the awards received by the Nix Nature Center. They are focusing on the acquisition of additional areas of land around the park.
11.6 Coastal Greenbelt Authority (Councilmember Ring)
Mayor Pro Tem Ring advised there was no report.
Mayor Hack advised that city hall would be closed during the holidays, but staff would be available for emergencies
XII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Carol Skydel, resident, expressed her concerns with the San Sebastian building.
A resident questioned if there would be seating and tables at the proposed Linear Park. City Manager Keane indicated there would be some seating and possibly tables.
XIII. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Robbins wished everybody the happiest holiday season and hoped the troops would come home.
Councilmember Ross reminded residents of the city’s drug disposal program. She also hoped everyone had a very Merry Christmas and healthy new year
Councilmember Bouer thanked the outgoing mayor for his leadership and congratulated the new mayor. He also wished everyone a happy new year.
Mayor Pro Tem Ring discussed the recent Orange County Register article and thanked staff for the olives. He also wished everyone a great holiday season and a healthy new year.
Mayor Hack wished everyone a healthy and happy new year.
XIV. CLOSED SESSION
None.
XV. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m. The next meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on January 16, 2008 at the Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA
__________________________________
SUSAN M. CONDON, City Clerk
Adopted: January 16, 2008
__________________________________
BERT HACK, Mayor
