CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
June 15, 2005
2:00 P.M.
Mayor Ross 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: Hack, Ring, Bouer, Ross
ABSENT: Robbins
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Keane; Assistant City Attorney McEwen; City Clerk Condon; Assistant City Manager Reilly
None
Moved by Councilmember Ring, seconded by Councilmember Hack, and carried unanimously to approve Proclamation 5.1.
5.1 Proclamation – Relay for Life Day – June 11-12, 2005
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Bouer, seconded by Councilmember Ring, and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items 6.1 through 6.8.
6.1 Approved City Council minutes from the regular meeting of May 18, 2005 and the adjourned regular meeting of June 1, 2005.
6.2 Approved the reading by title of all ordinances and resolutions. Said ordinances and resolutions that appeared on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title only and further reading waived.
6.3 Treasurer’s Report
Received and Filed May 2005 monthly Treasurer’s Report.
6.4 Warrant Register
Approved the June 15, 2005 Warrant Register in the amount of $742,827.47.
6.5 Community Development Block Grant Cooperation Agreement
Approved an agreement with the County of Orange authorizing the City’s participation in the Orange County small cities Community Development Block Grant program for the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009; and authorized the Mayor to execute the agreement subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
6.6 Notice of Completion – Fiscal Year 2004-05 Energy Efficient Improvement Project
6.7 Notice of Completion – El Toro Road Interconnect/Streetlight Conduit Installation Project
6.8 South Orange County Integrated Water Management Plan
Adopted Resolution No. 05-09 supporting the “South Orange County Integrated Regional Water Management Plan”, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING AND SUPPORTING THE ADOPTION OF THE SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 Automated Red Light Photo Enforcement
Assistant City Manager Reilly introduced Lt. Bob Hogbin, the City’s Police Services Chief, Tom Frank, an engineering consultant hired by the City, and Seth Fogel from Redflex Traffic Systems. He advised a Request for Proposal for installation of red light photo enforcement systems for the intersections of Moulton Parkway/El Toro Road and Moulton Parkway/Gate 12 was issued and proposals were received from Nestor Traffic Systems and Redflex Traffic Systems. Assistant City Manager Reilly advised a panel comprised of Lt. Hogbin, Bob Miller, Chair, Transportation Advisory Committee, Tom Frank and he interviewed and evaluated each firm. The panel and the Transportation Advisory Committee both unanimously agreed Redflex Traffic Systems would provide the more effective red light photo enforcement system. Assistant City Manager Reilly discussed the procedure to be followed and the 30-day warning period.
Assistant Manager Reilly discussed the monthly lease/service cost per approach, which would be paid from red light photo citation revenues. If the revenue is more than the equipment/service lease, it could fund the cost of a half-time deputy which is required to approve the citations and appear in court. The monthly fee would be reduced to match revenues if necessary.
Councilmember Ring questioned and discussion was held on the cost of red light tickets.
The Public Hearing was opened.
There were no requests to speak.
City Manager Keane advised there were no written communications, but staff had discussed the issue at various meetings and had verbal conversations with residents. One resident had expressed opposition.
Mary Wall, resident, expressed concern about traffic at the El Toro and Avenida Seville light. Assistant Manager Reilly and Lt. Hogbin discussed the directed enforcement over the last two years.
The Public Hearing was closed.
Moved by Councilmember Hack, seconded by Councilmember Ring, and carried unanimously:
7.2 Acquisition of Laguna Woods City Hall Property
City Manager Keane advised that Council previously directed staff to pursue acquisition of the City Hall property. A formal offer was presented to the property owner and a letter was received declining the offer. City Manager Keane discussed the procedural steps required to acquire interest in property by eminent domain. The City is required to hold a Public Hearing and afford the property owner the right to speak. The Public Hearing was scheduled for June 15 and the owner notified the City they would be out of the country and requested a continuance. Staff recommended Council continue the Public Hearing until July 20, 2005.
The Public Hearing was opened.
There were no requests to speak.
Moved by Councilmember Hack, seconded by Councilmember Ring and carried 3-0-1-1 to continue the public hearing until July 20, 2005.
Roll Call
Ayes: Councilmember: Hack, Ring, Ross
Noes: Councilmember: None
Absent: Councilmember: Robbins
Abstain: Councilmember: Bouer
Mayor Pro Tem Bouer advised he abstained as he felt there would not be any benefit waiting a month for the property owner to advise he did not intend to cooperate.
City Manager Keane briefly discussed the procedural steps to acquire the property.
Mayor Pro Tem Bouer advised he would like to change his vote.
Moved by Councilmember Hack, seconded by Councilmember Ring, and carried 4-0 to continue the public hearing to July 20, 2005.
Roll Call
Ayes: Councilmember: Hack, Ring, Bouer, Ross
Noes: Councilmember: None
Absent: Councilmember: Robbins
VIII. CITY COUNCIL
None
9.1 Subsidized Taxi Voucher Programs
City Manager Keane discussed the City’s various taxi voucher programs. California Yellow Cab notified the City that fares for the City’s taxi voucher program would be increased. City Manager Keane discussed the proposed increases, service limits and changes to the program.
The program costs are supported by OCTA Senior Mobility funds and user fees. The projected cost, even with service limits and changes, would be $238,200 for FY 05/06. Revenues would include $94,836 in Senior Mobility funds, $32,345 in FY 04/05 user fees and $81,996 in estimated FY 05/06 user fees if fares were maintained at current rates, for a total of $209,177. This would leave a deficit for next fiscal year of $29,023.
Staff recommended increasing the airport vouchers to $15 one-way; Irvine Spectrum to $4 one-way; regular vouchers to $4 one-way and increase non-emergency medical to $4 for trips up 15 miles, $6 for trips up to 20 miles; $8 for trips up to 25 miles and $12 for trips over 25 miles. With the proposed increases, there would still be a deficit of $18,595 and staff recommended the allocation of $18,595 from the unallocated General Fund Reserve.
Staff recommended implementing the increase for the airport vouchers and Irvine Transportation Center and Spectrum effective July 1 and the regular vouchers and non-emergency medical vouchers effective September 1.
Councilmember Hack discussed the popularity of the taxi program. He questioned if an increase in fares would encourage the taxi drivers to accept calls in Laguna Woods and what could be done to enforce the contract. City Manager Keane advised the taxi company stated that raising the minimum to $10 would bring drivers to the area.
Moved by Councilmember Ring, seconded by Councilmember Hack and unanimously carried to approve rates as proposed, approved limits to airport vouchers of up to 4 round trips annually per person, approved the unallocated General Fund reserve transfer of $18,595, dropped the special destination vouchers to Laguna Beach and Shops at Mission Viejo and discuss with other cities contract enforcement.
9.2 FY 2005-06 Budget
City Manager Keane presented the proposed 2005-06 Budget and Work Program and briefly discussed the proposed revenues, expenditures, budget policies, and capital improvement programs.
The following items were requested for additions to the proposed budget since the budget workshops:
Council previously approved item 4 when item 9.1 Subsidized Taxi Voucher Programs was approved. After discussion, Council consensus was to add $35,000 to the Community Services Grants. There was no request to fund the Laguna Beach Playhouse buy-down program and County beaches and parks parking pass subsidy program.
Assistant City Attorney McEwen advised everything is fine.
XII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
12.1 El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (Councilmember Hack)
Councilmember Hack reported ETRPA will approve their budget later in the month and provided an update on the land sale.
12.2 San Joaquin Corridor Authority (Councilmember Hack)
Councilmember Hack advised he was voted chair for next fiscal year and would continue to work on the toll road financing.
12.3 Vector Control District (Mayor Pro Tem Bouer)
Mayor Pro Tem Bouer introduced Gerard Goedhart, District Manager for Orange County Vector Control. He advised Mr. Goedhart would provide an update under Public Comments.
12.4 Library Board (Councilmember Robbins)
City Manager Keane advised the Board has not met and would probably meet in September.
12.5 Orange County Fire Authority (Mayor Ross)
Mayor Ross reported The July 28 meeting was changed.
12.6 Laguna Canyon Foundation (Councilmember Ring)
Councilmember Ring advised the Board met last week and reviewed proposed cost reductions for the Nix Nature Center.
12.7 Coastal Greenbelt Authority (Councilmember Ring)
Councilmember Ring advised they did not have a meeting due to lack of a quorum.
XII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Gerard Goedhart, District Manager for Orange County Vector Control, provided an update on the benefit assessment which passed last year and West Nile/mosquito abatement and answered questions.
XIII. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mary Wall questioned if the City can do anything about rats.
Gerard Goedhart, OC Vector Control, advised Vector Control would be able to assist but would need specific information.
City Council recessed into Closed Session at 3:33 p.m.
The City Council met in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, to give direction to its real property negotiator, Leslie Keane, with respect to the purchase of approximately 2,224 square feet of property located at 24085 El Toro Road (APN 616-051-04). Negotiating party: American Savings and Loan Association. Under negotiation: price and terms of payment.
Council reconvened in open session at 4:40 p.m. There was no reportable action.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:41 p.m. to an adjourned regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on June 29, 2005 at the Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637.
____________________________________________
SUSAN M. CONDON, City Clerk
Adopted: July 20, 2005
______________________________________________
BRENDA B. ROSS, Mayor
