CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
October 18, 2006
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 Hack led the flag salute.
III. ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS: PRESENT: Hack, Ring, Ross, Robbins, Bouer
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Keane; City Attorney McEwen; City Clerk Condon; Community Development Director Barr
None.
Moved by Councilmember Ring, seconded by Councilmember Ross, and carried unanimously to approve City Proclamation 5.1.
5.1 Commendation – Babe Cardwell – 104th Birthday
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Robbins, seconded by Councilmember Ring, and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items 6.1 – 6.6.
6.1 Approved City Council minutes from the regular meeting of September 20, 2006.
6.2 Approved the reading by title of all ordinances and resolutions. Said ordinances and resolutions that appeared on the public agenda were determined to have been read by title only and further reading waived.
6.3 Received and filed September 2006 monthly Treasurer’s Report.
6.4 Approved the October 18, 2006 Warrant Register in the amount of $356,215.15.
6.5 Laguna Woods General Plan Annual Report
Received and filed 2006 General Plan Annual Report.
6.6 Employee Compensation
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 06-07 AND ESTABLISHING A COMPENSATION SCHEDULE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES
AND
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 Conditional Use Permit application CUP-326 to establish a new sign program for Carl’s Jr. and Green Burrito Restaurant, filed by National Sign and Marketing
Community Development Director Barr reported that National Sign and Marketing, acting as agent for Carl’s Jr., has submitted an application for a sign program to modify building and site signage to accommodate the addition of the Green Burrito franchise.
Staff reviewed the request to rehabilitate the existing signage and add the new Green Burrito sings. Staff was unable to process the request due to inconsistencies with the approved signage and the need to process a sign program for additional signs above the minimums in the City’s Sign Code. Staff did approve and issue a permit for the reface of the monument signs since that was only a reface of existing approved signage and didn’t involved any change in sign area.
The current proposal sought to add a second wall sign representing the Green Burrito franchise adjacent to each of the existing Carl’s Jr. wall signs and would not exceed the total area of wall signage that currently exists. However, staff had concerns that the proposed signage did not represent an integrated approach to the wall signage for a single business location and did not support the signage as designed.
The City Planning Advisory Committee supported the application provided that there was no increase in wall sign area, but did not make a recommendation regarding the sign’s aesthetics. The staff recommendation remained not to approve the sign plan, as proposed.
Council requested clarification of staff’s concerns and Community Development Director Barr clarified staff’s concerns using various slides in the power point presentation.
The Public Hearing was continued.
Steve Rosenbloom, the applicant from National Sign and Marketing, stated that the proposed channel letters signs are considered a more elegant design. He further explained the signs were designed to compliment the site and draw from the center since the restaurant is not visible from El Toro Road.
The Public hearing was closed.
Council discussed the proposed signs. The applicant advised they were willing to work further with staff.
City Attorney McEwen advised council that a decision was required and suggested alternatives.
Moved by Councilmember Hack, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Robbins and carried unanimously to reopen the Public Hearing.
The Public Hearing was reopened.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Robbins, seconded by Councilmember Hack and carried unanimously to continue the Public Hearing until November 8, 2006.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL
None
9.1 Laguna Woods Smoking Regulations
City Manager Keane advised that the City adopted smoking regulations in August 2004. In December 2005 and March 2006, Council discussed possible modifications to the regulations. The proposed ordinance modified the current regulation to prohibit smoking in carports shared by more than one residential unit. It also clarified that smoking is not permitted in shared entryways in multifamily residential buildings and in City parks and preserves.
Libby Marks, resident, expressed her concern regarding smoking on balconies and private patios. She also stated that she understood that the City had given warnings, but that no citations had been issued for violations of the smoking regulations.
City Manager Keane advised that warnings had been issued and that no further action had been required.
Moved by Councilmember Hack, seconded, by Councilmember Ring and carried unanimously to introduce and approve the first reading of an ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING, REPLACING AND ESTABLISHING CHAPTER 7.16 – SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES AND PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT
9.2 Laguna Laurel Property Annexation
City Manager Keane advised that in April, the City of Irvine proposed a General Plan Amendment that modified land use on property in the southwest portion of that city. As part of the environmental review process, staff and the Irvine Company reached an agreement to pursue annexation of a 162.45 acre parcel, referred to as Laguna Laurel, to the City of Laguna Woods. The property is adjacent to Laguna Woods’ northwestern boundary at the end of Santa Maria Avenue. Working with the firm of Hogle-Ireland, staff began discussion with the Irvine Company about proceeding with the Laguna Laurel annexation. The cost to complete a General Plan amendment and pre-zoning of the property and a pre-annexation agreement with the property owner is estimated to be $250,000 and is not included in the current City Budget.
Moved by Councilmember Ring, seconded by Councilmember Hack and carried unanimously to approve an allocation of $250,000 from the General Fund Unallocated Fund Balance for costs associated with the annexation of the Laguna Laurel property.
City Manager Keane thanked Councilmember’s Hack and Ring for their assistance with the Irvine Company and the City of Irvine.
9.3 Woods End Nature Preserve Parking
City Manager Keane reported that the three striped parking spaces adjacent to Woods End Nature Preserve are being used by individuals who are trying to sell their automobiles who often park cars in the spaces for the entire day. Staff recommended a three hour parking limit on street parking adjacent to Woods End Preserve. This would allow the Sheriff’s office to ticket these vehicles. On October 11, 2006 the Transportation Advisory Committee voted unanimously to support the parking restriction.
Moved by Councilmember Ring, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Robbins and carried unanimously to establish a three hour parking limit on street parking adjacent to Woods End Nature Preserve.
City Attorney McEwen discussed a recent California Supreme Court case on Proposition 218. An initiative was proposed to reduce water rates by 50% and to require voter approval for any future increase. Proposition 218 has an exemption from the 2/3 voter requirement for water rates. The court ruled that reducing the water rate was a proper subject for the initiative, but that the issue to require voter approval was not proper and therefore, the initiative was not presented to the voters.
Councilmember Hack commented on the initiative and Proposition 218.
11.1 San Joaquin Corridor Authority (Councilmember Hack)
Councilmember Hack reported that an ad hoc committee of the two agencies was involved in a discussion to create a merged entity.
11.2 Vector Control District (Mayor Bouer)
Mayor Bouer provided an update on West Nile Virus and advised that there would be a meeting on Thursday, October 19, 2006.
11.3 Library Board (Mayor Pro Tem Robbins)
Mayor Pro Tem Robbins advised there had been a meeting on October 12 which he attended along with the City Manager. The City was advised that development fees from the City were available for use. Staff will investigate the possible purchase of shelves and best sellers that would be available for checkout.
11.4 Orange County Fire Authority (Councilmember Ross)
Councilmember Ross advised the recent meeting discussed personnel pensions and the retirement fund.
11.5 Laguna Canyon Foundation (Councilmember Ring)
Councilmember Ring reported that the dedication of the Nix Nature Center would be on Saturday, November 4th. The GRF Board arranged for bus transportation for Village residents from Clubhouse 3.
11.6 Coastal Greenbelt Authority (Councilmember Ring)
Councilmember Ring advised that there would be a public hearing on the county park system at the November 16 meeting here at the Laguna Woods Council Chamber.
XII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Michael Glover, Democratic candidate for the 70th Assembly District, introduced himself and briefly discussed his stand on several propositions. He stated he would be available to talk with residents outside City Hall after the meeting.
XIII. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Hack briefly discussed his opposition to Proposition 90.
XIV. CLOSED SESSION
None.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m. A meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on November 8, 2006 at the LagunaWoodsCity Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA
__________________________________
SUSAN M. CONDON, City Clerk
Adopted: November 8, 2006
__________________________________
ROBERT BOUER, Mayor
