Minutes – June 13, 2007
Minutes – June 13, 2007
CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
June 13, 2007
2:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Robbins called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Woods to order at 2:00 p.m.
II. FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Ring led the flag salute.
III. ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS: PRESENT: Bouer, Ring, Ross, Hack, Robbins
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Keane; Attorney McEwen; City Clerk Condon, Assistant City Manager Reilly, Sr. Mgmt Analyst Macon; Building Inspector Gates
IV. CITY COUNCIL
4.1 City Advisory Committee Appointment
City Manager Keane advised that Councilmember Ross nominated Richard Gray to the Water Quality Advisory Committee, Mayor Pro Tem Hack nominated Mark Stein to the Human Relations Committee and Councilmember Bouer nominated Elliot Brody to the Human Relations Committee. There are still four openings on the Transportation Advisory Committee and one opening on the Water Quality Advisory Committee.
Moved by Councilmember Ring, seconded by Councilmember Ross, and carried unanimously to appoint Richard Gray to the Water Quality Advisory Committee and Mark Stein and Elliot Brody to the Human Relations Committee.
V. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Keane introduced Chris Macon as the City’s new Senior Mgmt. Analyst. He will handle emergency preparedness, work with the Laguna Woods Historical Society and the City Clerk on records retention and assume some urban runoff responsibilities and special projects as assigned.
5.1 Building Permit and Miscellaneous Service Fee Revisions
City Manager Keane Council advised that the City issues a variety of fees for services – planning, building and safety, recreation and administrative. She advised that staff conducted a review of the building permits issued in FY 2005-06 and the costs associated with processing, issuing and inspecting. City Manager Keane provided Council with an example of a building permit fees for a dishwasher replacement and discussed proposed minimum flat fee options. The Planning Advisory Committee recommended 100% recovery of city costs; however staff felt that increasing the recovery cost to 80% would be more equitable and requested direction from Council.
City Manager Keane reported that water heaters replaced by the Laguna Woods Village management company, PCM, are not individually inspected by the City inspectors. PCM batches water heater permit applications and they are submitted along with a picture of the installation and then reviewed by City staff. City Manager Keane noted that the current policy needs to be extended to other vendors and contractors. Discussion was held regarding water heater replacements. Staff will continue to follow current procedure and bring back the issue for further discussion.
Moved by Mayor Robbins, seconded by Councilmember Ring, and carried unanimously to direct staff to establish a minimum inspection fee and certain fixed building permit fees based on 80% of direct cost recovery and to prepare an implementing resolution.
City Manager Keane also discussed the proposed planning and administration fees and answered questions.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Hack, seconded by Mayor Robbins, and carried unanimously to direct staff to prepare a resolution revising certain planning and administrative fees.
5.2 Fiscal Year 2007-08 Proposed Budget
City Manager Keane presented the city manager’s proposed budget and work program for Fiscal Year 2007-08. The proposed budget is comprised of services, programs and projects which total $13.5 million. With continued allocations in the capital improvement program the total City work plan is expected to be $19.6 million in Fiscal Year 2007-08. She advised that the $86,000 parking lot project discussed in May had been removed and $15,000 added for an engineering study of the parking lot.
City Manager Keane provided an overview of staff and city accomplishments during the past fiscal year and outlined the proposed work plan for Fiscal Year 2007-08. Councilmembers congratulated staff for all the accomplishments and requested copies of the list.
City Manager Keane identified several proposed projects that could be added to the Fiscal year 2007-08 work plan, such as a building permit amnesty program, green building energy efficiency program, community needs assessment and a volunteer code enforcement program. Councilmembers expressed consensus agreement that such programs be investigated further.
City Council members expressed consensus approval with the budget as proposed and directed staff to prepare the required implementing resolutions.
VI. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
City Attorney McEwen provided updates on a court appeal regarding Wolfe vs. City of Freemont and on proposed legislation SB 964. Senate Bill 964, as originally proposed, would have barred discussions between staff and a councilmember and also would not allow any material to be considered at a council meeting unless the material was also made available to the public. The League of California Cities initially opposed the bill. The bill has since been revised and the League has now taken a neutral position. Councilmembers expressed concern about the bill as initially proposed and City Attorney McEwen advised he would keep Council informed of the progress of the bill.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
VIII. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Ring advised that Harry Schwartz passed away over the past weekend. Mr. Schwartz had been involved in both the Laguna Woods Village and the City and was recently Chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee
Councilmember Ring also advised that Matt Magidson passed away in May. Mr. Magidson had been a director and president of both United and GRF Boards in Laguna Woods Village and was one of the members who worked for the City incorporation. Even though Matt had moved from the area, he was always in contact with residents to find out what was going on.
IX. CLOSED SESSION
Council recessed at 3:12 p.m. to closed session to:
A. Meet with its designated representative Leslie A. Keane, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6, regarding the compensation of its unrepresented employees – all position classifications of the City of Laguna Woods.
B. Meet with its designated representative City Attorney Stephen A. McEwen, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, regarding the compensation of its unrepresented employee – City Manager Leslie A. Keane.
Council reconvened at 4:38 p.m. and City Attorney McEwen advised there was no reportable action.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m. in memory of Matt Magidson, a City founder.
A regular meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on June 27, 2007 at the Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA
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SUSAN M. CONDON, City Clerk
Adopted: June 27, 2007
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MILTON ROBBINS, Mayor
