Report to the People - August 2015

This report covers the period from July 1 to 31. It represents the views of Councilman Gardner and does not reflect official City policy. These reports are produced monthly. Past copies are available on request.

INVOLVING PEOPLE

One of my main concerns is to involve more people in our local government.

Office hours are every Tuesday from 3 pm to 5 pm. I’m on the first floor. Inquire at the Clerk’s office. Occasionally the hours are changed, so be sure to check.

Town Square – Lake Forest Town Square has 300+ members, providing extremely valuable input on issues facing the council as well as general issues. Please join. Go to Facebook and search for Lake Forest Town Square - Or click here.

Listen and Learn – In July I will met with the Cedar Glen HOA. If you have a group and want to share your concerns, e-mail me and let’s get together.

Mini Town Hall Meetings –Our next meeting will be Saturday August 15, 2 to 4 pm, at El Toro Library.

SPECIFIC ISSUES

Promoting the Arts in Lake Forest - The third set of works of art by local artists is now on display at the Modjeska Playhouse (21084 Bake Pkwy, Suite 104). In addition, we will have an outdoor art display at our August concert in the park. I’m still unable to get use of wall space at the City Hall and the Rec Center, but I’m continuing my efforts.

Village Pond Park – The feeding prohibition ordinance was passed on March 17. It went into effect on April 17. Signs are up and City staff distributed 300+ educational flyers. Fines started in July. We are still waiting for the evaluation that the City Manager was told to perform, and for the plans to re-model the park. As soon as they appear I’ll let you know.

Dog Park(s) – Hopefully the small park on Baffin Bay will be ready by the end of the year. The Portola Park workshop recommended a 1 acre dog park at the new Portola Park, so we will now make a dent in the need of 9,000 Lake Forest families with dogs.

Portola Park - Second workshop finished on June 3. Consultants offered proposed plan to Parks and Recreation Commission in July, and it should go to the Council in September. This park is being built by the developer, so it’s not certain when construction would start.

Whispering Hills - Second workshop has been re-scheduled for August 6.

Seniors – Can you believe that my colleagues voted against helping “Meals on Wheels” feed nearly 100 Lake Forest residents? Despite the disappointment I am still looking for a place that can house the program. They need to be there from about 11 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday. They need access to a refrigerator, some storage space, and a computer and printer. It should also be easy for cars to show up to pick up the meals for delivery. If you have a place where they can assemble the meals, please let me know.

Traffic – 9 people applied for the new Traffic Advisory Group (Click here). At my request, you will now be able to see who is actually voting for whom, unlike in the past where individual Council members’ votes were hidden from public view. Interviews are set for August 4th. I have high hopes for what this group will achieve.

Investments – The policy change initiated by Mayor Pro Tem Hamilton and I goes before the Council soon, and if accepted the City will earn substantially more going forward, possibly as much as $100,000 each year.

Reclaimed Water – Col. Tom Cagley, Bob Holzclaw, and I are working with IRWD and ETWD and the City to bring reclaimed water to Lake 1 and Lake 2 and also Village Pond Park, as well as switching some of the City landscape systems near these 3 water features to use reclaimed water. We hope to have an update soon.

Animal Control Services – The City voted to explore alternatives to the current contract with the County. We joined two other cities (RSM and Laguna Hills) in our desire to have higher quality care and better service. Click here for more information.

Bad Behavior – In the past few weeks, my colleagues have been criticized severely for their “bad” behavior on the dais. This included Council members arguing among themselves, yelling at the audience, refusing to follow lawful processes including violating the Brown Act, verbally attacking members of the audience, etc. It’s been shameful and I hope they learn from the criticism and mend their errant ways. Click here for more information. We owe it to our citizens to conduct our meetings in a professional manner.

NETWORKING

In July I attended the following meetings/events.

• · July 1 – Meeting with City Manager
• · July 1 – Chamber of Commerce Mixer (Very successful. Thanks Applied Medical)
• · July 3- Kiwanis
• · July 4 – Parade (It was great, with nearly 100 entrants)
• · July 7 – Office Hours
• · July 7 - City Council Meeting
• · July 8 – Meeting with Laguna Hills City Council member
• · July 8 – Tour of Orange County Animal Shelter
• · July 8 – Appearance before RSM City Council
• · July 9 – ACC-OC Reception
• · July 10 – Kiwanis
• · July 11 – Cedar Glen recycling event
• · July 14 – Office Hours
• · July 14 – Meeting with Laguna Hills City Council
• · July 15 – Meeting with City Manager
• · July 17 – Kiwanis
• · July 20 – Meeting with Senator John Moorlach
• · July 21 - City Council Meeting
• · July 22 – Special Needs Dance
• ·· July 24 – Woman’s Club of Lake Forest fund raiser
• · July 25 – Relay for Life
• · July 26 – Concert in the Park
• · July 27 – Parade Committee
• · July 28 – BIA workshop
• · July 28 – Office Hours
• · July 29 – Meeting with City Manager
• · July 31 – Kiwanis

LEGISLATION

In July the Council voted unanimously on all issues, with the following exceptions –

• · Remove alternatives from OCFA Committee (Nick opposed)
• · Explore alternatives to OCSD contract (Hamilton, Voigts, Robinson opposed)
• · Allow Lake Forest business to bid on printing contract (Nick, Hamilton, Voigts, Robinson opposed)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Most of the events are FREE but some may charge admission.

• · Aug 4 – Office Hours (3 to 4 pm – City Hall - THIS DAY ONLY)
• · Aug 4 – National Night Out (4 to 8 pm – Sports Park)
• · Aug 4 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Aug 7 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Aug 7 – Opening Night “Complete Works of Shakespeare” (8 pm – Modjeska Playhouse)
• · Aug 11 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · Aug 13 – Planning Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Aug 14 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Aug 15 – Town hall Meeting (2 to 4 pm – El Toro Library)
• · Aug 18 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · Aug 16 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Aug 19 – Brown is the new Green (6 to 8 pm, IRWD Irvine)
• · Aug 20 – Families Forward Gala (6 to 8 pm – Newport Coast)
• · Aug 20 – Parks and Recreation Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Aug 21 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Aug 23 – Concert in the Park
• · Aug 25 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · Aug 28 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Sep 1 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Here are some of the legislative issues on tap –

• · Meritage Homes desires to add more homes in Foothill Ranch area
• · Political sign ordinance review
• · Contract awards for new Civic/Senior Center
• · Update on Village Pond Park

COMMENTS

It came to my attention that at times the COMMENTS section of the Patch doesn’t work. I have no control over this. I can neither enable or disable the Comments section nor can I delete or edit other people’s work. If you encounter this problem, please notify the Patch. If you want to discuss the issues raised in these articles you’re welcome to join nearly 300 of us at Lake Forest Town Square, or you can e-mail me individually, come to my office hours, or attend my Town hall meetings.

CONTACT

You can discuss issues at the Facebook page Lake Forest Town Square. Or e-mail me at GardnerForCouncil@gmail.com

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