Lake Forest 2018 Part 4 (Quality of Life)

I’m spending a week going through our achievements during the past 4 years. So far we discussed Finances, Safety and Communications and Business. Today we’ll discuss Quality of Life and Promoting the City.

IMPROVING OUR QUALITY OF LIFE

• Adoption Center. I helped bring the Orange County Pet Adoption Center to Lake Forest. Thanks to April Josephson and her volunteers for their hard work getting this done. I continue to support the program, help with their events, and recently fostered two cats. (See Photo)
• Local Animal Shelter. Despite the long term opposition of Councilmen Voigts and Robinson, we are trying to partner with either Mission Viejo or Irvine for our animal care services.
• County Animal Shelter. For decades the City Councils in Lake Forest supported and defended the County’s animal shelter, even while experts and the OC Grand Jury decried the horrible conditions and the high kill rates. I fought hard for over a decade for the County to give us a new shelter, and in 2018 we succeeded. Thanks to Rose Tingle who worked so hard alongside me. Adam Nick and Barbara Kogerman also helped. (See Photo)
• Dog Park. Despite opposition from the City and from Shea/Baker, I forced the city to create our first dog park in 2013. A second dog park is on the books for Portola Park and should be built in 2019. (See Photo)
• Affordable Housing. Last year I pushed for spending our affordable housing funds and actually building some affordable homes. I got Council approval, we entered into a contract and we expect some proposals in the next few months.
• Improve Traffic Flow. Mayor Pro Tem Leah Basile and I got the dedicated right hand turn at Trabuco and Bake approved and created in September 2018.
• HOA Council. Along with Mayor Pro Tem Basile, in March 2018 we set up a Mayor’s Council for HOAs, bringing together the staff and Board members of the major HOAs in the city to plan how best to improve our lives. Mayor Pro Tem Basile is a President of an HOA and I’m a former President so we know how important this group is. We are already reaping the benefits of this innovation. The group has met 3 times so far this year.
• Permit Parking. Our old permit parking policy was badly flawed. I pushed to make changes, despite opposition from Councilman Robinson, but succeeded in getting the Traffic and Parking Commission to focus on this issue. We’re awaiting their report.
• Advisory Councils. In 2018 I set up advisory councils on Special Needs and on Animal Welfare. They are designed for people to give us specific suggestions as to how we can better provide services.

PROMOTING THE CITY

• Leadership Award. To recognize outstanding volunteer achievement I initiated a Volunteer Leadership Award. The first one was given in May 2018 to John Irish for his work on the Parade Committee, the Parks and Recreation Committee, and the Traffic Advisory Group. We nick-named the award “The Drink” as a tribute to long-time volunteer Myron Drinkwater who passed away earlier this year. (See Photo)
• Mayor’s Award. In a similar fashion I wanted to recognize outstanding achievement by staff. I initiated and got approval for a “Mayor’s Award” and the first one will be given in December. Mayor Pro Tem Basile is helping with this project.
• Veterans Park. From a suggestion on Lake Forest Town Square, I championed the idea of transforming Village Pond Park into a Veterans Memorial Park. It opened November 20, 2018. Col. Tom Cagley sat on the committee with me when we did this project, as did Bob Holtzclaw and Larissa Clark. Parks Director Scott Wasserman was a big help with this project.
• As part of our change to Veterans Park, we upgraded and re-dedicated Heroes Park. Councilman Col. Cagley and Mayor Pro Tem Basile were helpful here. (See Photo)
• With Col. Cagley and Mayor Pro Tem Basile we set up an ad hoc committee to establish a nonprofit community foundation.
• Over the four years I attended more than 800 city events. In some months I attended more events than the rest of the City Council members combined. For me, attending city events is essential. It’s the time/place to meet with our residents and get feedback and good ideas.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest where he serves as Mayor. 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 comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.