Minutes – May 21, 2008

CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

May 21, 2008

2:00 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Hack called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Woods to order at 2:00 p.m.

II. FLAG SALUTE

Councilmember Bouer led the flag salute.

III. ROLL CALL

COUNCILMEMBERS: PRESENT:   Bouer, Robbins, Ross, Ring, Hack

                ABSENT:    None

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Keane; Attorney Hanson; Assistant City Manager Reilly; City Clerk Condon

IV. PRESENTATIONS

None.

V.  CITY PROCLAMATIONS

Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Ring, seconded by Councilmember Robbins and carried unanimously to approve City Proclamations 5.1 – 5.5.

5.1 Proclamation – National Nursing Home Week – May 11-17, 2008

5.2 Proclamation – Emergency Medical Services Week – May 19-25, 2008

5.3 Proclamation – California Water Awareness Month – May 2008

5.4 Proclamation – Older Americans Month – May 2008

5.5 Proclamation – National Military Appreciation Month – May 2008

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

Moved by Councilmember Robbins, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ring, and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar Items 6.1 – 6.8.

6.1 Approved City Council minutes from the adjourned regular meeting of April 2, 2008 and the regular meeting of April 16, 2008.

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 April 2008 monthly Treasurer’s Report and Fiscal Year 2007-08 Third Quarter Treasurer’s Reports.

6.4 Approved the May 21, 2008 Warrant Register in the amount of $552,829.03.

6.5 ExxonMobil Corporation – Temporary Construction Easement Agreement

Approved an agreement with ExxonMobil Corporation related to the Moulton Smart Street Widening project; and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.

6.6 PSAF Development Partners – Agreement for Acquisition of Easements, Easement Deed and Temporary Construction Easement Deed

Approved an agreement with PSAF Development Partners, L.P. related to the Moulton Smart Street Widening project; and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.

6.7 Community Development Block Grant Cooperation Agreement

Approved an amendment to an existing agreement with the County of Orange, extending the City’s participation in the Urban County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); and authorized the Mayor to execute the agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.

6.8 Proposition 1B Funds for El Toro Road

Approved Resolution No. 08-07 authorizing the City Manager to apply to the state for $400,000 in Proposition 1B funds for the El Toro Road Eastbound Pavement Reconstruction Project entitled:

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR PROPOSITION 1B FUNDS FOR THE EL TORO ROAD EASTBOUND PAVEMENT RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, FROM THE SOUTHERLY CITY LIMIT TO CALLE SONORA, AND AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2008 – 2014 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN TO INCLUDE THE PROJECT AND PROPOSITION 1B FUNDS

6.9 Liability Claim

Denied the claim against the City of Laguna Woods by Bryon D. Charles.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS

None.

VIII. CITY COUNCIL

8.1 U.S. Senate Bill S 1499: Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act

Mayor Hack discussed US Senate Bill S. 1499, the Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act, which would require the Environmental Protection Agency to establish rules limiting fuel sulfur content in both domestic and foreign-flagged ships traveling to U.S. ports, both along the coastal waters and within the Great Lakes. Currently the use of high sulfur content fuel causes ships to emit over 50% of the sulfur oxides in Southern California. Debra Reed, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) answered questions.

Mike Curtis, resident, requested a phone number for SCAQMD to report violations and discussed trucks purchasing gasoline in Mexico.

Debra Reed, SCAQMD, advised that residents could call 1-800-Cut-Smog and advised that trucking is handled by the state and they are moving forward with standards for trucks.

Stu Venable, resident, requested information on regulations on leaf blowers.

Debra Reed, SCAQMD, reported that leaf blowers are handled locally.

Moved by Councilmember Ross, seconded by Councilmember Robbins and carried unanimously to authorize the Mayor to communicate City support for S. 1499

IX. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

City Manager Keane advised that the movie Freedom Writers would be presented on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. and on Friday, the second program in the Operation Safe Series, a public safety series, would be presented by the Orange County Sheriff Director of Crime Prevention at 2:00 in the Council Chamber.

9.1 Taxi Voucher Program Update and Contract Extension

Assistant City Manager Reilly presented a power point update on the City Taxi Voucher Program. The update provided background on the taxi voucher service provided to residents since 2002 and discussed the growth of the program. He provided program participation and advised the enrollment in the program rose 26% over last year. The proposed 2 year contract extension would have a trip increase only for the John Wayne Airport/Orange County Performing Arts Center, South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island from $30 to $32 each way, which would be a $1 increase to $16 paid each way by the resident. Assistant City Manager Reilly discussed the policies and advised the only proposed change was to extend the expiration for the Taxi Bucks for general travel to June 30, 2010 (good for two years). The specific destination and non-emergency medical vouchers would both expire in one year.

Mike Curtis, resident, commented on the successful taxi program.

Stu Venable, resident, advised he has used the program and everything went perfect.

Moved by Councilmember Robbins, seconded by Councilmember Bouer and carried unanimously to approve a contract extension with Cabco Yellow, Inc. (California Yellow Cab) for taxi voucher service through June 30, 2010.

Moved by Councilmember Robbins, seconded by Councilmember Bouer and carried unanimously to approve an increase in the cost to residents for taxi voucher to John Wayne Airport, Fashion Island, South Coast Plaza, and the Orange County Performing Arts Center from $15 to $16.

X.   CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Burke Williams Sorenson attorney Ralph Hanson advised that City Attorney McEwen was not able to attend the meeting and stated there was nothing to report.

XI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

11.1 Transportation Corridor Agencies (Mayor Hack)

Mayor Hack advised that an appeal would be submitted to the federal government on the 241 extension.

11.2 Southern California Water Committee (Mayor Hack)

Mayor Hack reported that it appeared it would be a hot, dry summer and encouraged everyone to save water.

Israel Goran, resident, questioned if there would be a 10% rate increase for water.

John Dudley, El Toro Water Board, advised there was not going to be a 10% increase.

Mike Curtis, resident, discussed water shortages up the coast and commented there should not be any further development in the city.

11.3 Vector Control District (Councilmember Bouer)

Councilmember Bouer reported there were 13 birds collected in Orange County that tested positive for West Nile virus. Residents were requested to report dead birds for pickup.

11.4 Library Advisory Board (Councilmember Robbins)

Councilmember Robbins advised that the advisory board met and briefly discussed the preliminary financial audit review, adoption of the 2008-09 budget and the formula used to determine level of service.

11.5 Orange County Fire Authority (Councilmember Ross)

Councilmember Ross advised they would be meeting Thursday.

11.6 Laguna Canyon Foundation (Mayor Pro Tem Ring)

Mayor Pro Tem Ring advised the last meeting was the dedication with the Coastal Conservancy, of the properties along Laguna Canyon Road which become part of the Laguna Canyon Wilderness.

11.7 Coastal Greenbelt Authority (Mayor Pro Tem Ring)

Mayor Pro Tem Ring advised they did not meet.

XII. PUBLIC COMMENTS

John Dudley, El Toro Water District, requested that disposable diapers not be disposed in the toilet.

Mike Curtis, resident, briefly discussed the letter GRF submitted to the City regarding the specific plan.

XIII. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor Pro Tem Ring advised he attended the 8th Annual Regional Housing Summit in Riverside and briefly discussed the housing crisis.

Mayor Hack briefly advised that Orange County is the 5th largest county in population in the United States and has more people than 22 states.

XIV. CLOSED SESSION

None.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m. The next meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on June 18, 2008 at the Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA

__________________________________

SUSAN M. CONDON, City Clerk

Adopted: June 18, 2008

__________________________________

BERT HACK, Mayor