City Council Preview - Feb 6

Here are some of the topics that are coming up Tuesday night which is going to be a very busy night.

TRAFFIC STUDY

Staff studied traffic on Normandale and Regency. These are their recommendations -

• Install white edge line striping to reduce speeds
• Install double yellow centerline on Normandale
• Install pavement legends
• Increase use of radar trailers
• Install no parking signs on Normandale between El Toro Rd and Regency Lane to improve sight distance.
• Install a T-intersection warning sign for southbound Regency Lane.

CITY COUNCIL

Compensation - Current compensation is $704 per month which is among the lowest in the County. State law allows an increase to $1056 per month, which would still be among the lowest in the county. Changes to compensation would take place after the 2018 election.

Selection of Mayor - To avoid a "gang of 3" from monopolizing the position of Mayor, as has been done many times in the past, I am proposing a system in which everyone who is elected gets an opportunity to be Mayor. Each year, the Council member with the most seniority who has not yet served as Mayor would get the opportunity of serving. If everyone has served, a Mayor may be appointed for a second term.

Limiting Campaign Contributions - There are several options.

• Limits on campaign contributions. Right now cities with limitations range from $2000 (Anaheim) to $250 (Laguna Woods). I will recommend we adopt the most stringent limit.
• Disclosure requirements - Some cities require "real-time" disclosures that accompany RFP submissions. Sounds like a good idea. Some cities go beyond this and require a public statement from the Council member when the issue comes before the Council. Sounds good too.
• Bans on contributions. Some cities prevent contributions while a company is under contract with the city. Sounds good too.

Code of Ethics - The process adopted by the City of Riverside looks comprehensive, what's missing are

• Penalties (e.g., fines, removal for committee posts, removal from Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem position, denial of any reimbursement for travel/conferences, etc.)
• Examples of breaches of ethics (so there is more clarity).

Appointment of Commissioners - To avoid a "gang of 3" from controlling a Commission, as has been done many times in the past, I am proposing a system in which each Council member appoints a Commissioner. In this manner, even if a majority of 3 exists, at least 2 commissioners will not be appointed by the majority.

Filling a Council Vacancy - To avoid a "gang of 3" from furthering their majority, as has been done in the past, I am proposing a system in which any vacancy is filled by the person receiving the most votes (though not elected) at the last general election.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His twitter handle is @DrJimGardner. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a town hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be Thursday Feb 15 at 7 pm at the Beach and Tennis Club on Ridge Rte.