Report to the People - August 2017

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.

(Pictured above at the July 25th Legislative luncheon with Mayor Pro Tem Basile, Senator John Moorlach, and Assemblyman Dr. Steven Choi)

INVOLVING PEOPLE

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

Office hours are every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm. Inquire at the Clerk’s office. Occasionally things change, so be sure to check first.

Town Square – Lake Forest Town Square has over 600 members and growing, providing valuable input on issues facing the council as well as general issues. Your votes and opinions are used to guide my decisions. Please join.

Listen and Learn – To date I’ve met with over a dozen groups around the City. If you have a group and want to share your concerns, let’s get together.

Town Hall Meetings – Last meeting was June 10 (Click here). Next meeting will be Sept 9.

The Patch – In case you were unaware, I post a column in the Lake Forest Patch, usually 3 to 5 times a week (to date there are over 1,000 up there), and you should feel free to comment there.

MY PRIORITIES

Here are issues that are well in motion -

• The Civic/Senior Center project is on schedule. Ground breaking was May 12.
• Village Pond Park renovation is under way.
• Comprehensive plans for upgrading 10 parks in the City achieved through 5 workshops. I attended all meetings.
• Pet Adoption Center opened on April 24. At my instigation data about Lake Forest animals now available online (Click Here). Fees for seniors and for neutered dogs reduced. New public education officer to start soon.
• Developed a comprehensive ordinance to provide balance and cohesiveness to single family residential areas. Ordinance developed with City Attorney, passed through Planning Commission, and by Council. Now in effect and efforts being made to enforce.

Here are the issues I am currently working on

• Adoption Center to take on more responsibilities (e.g., counselling for owner surrender and owner requested euthanasia). Monthly data to be coordinated with County data. Discussions under way to handle strays in the future (probably next year)
• Retail. Develop a comprehensive plan for revitalization of retail space so we can compete with all the progress being made in our neighboring cities. Hopefully part of strategic planning sessions to be held in September. Working with Councilman Robinson on this issue.
• District Elections. About 2 years ago Councilman Nick and I asked our colleagues to support district elections. They refused to go along. Now in the face of a lawsuit, and with legal costs mounting, Councilman Robinson joined Mayor Pro Tem Basile and me in voting to switch to district elections in 2018. This process begins August 1.
• Honoring Veterans. With Councilman Robinson and Mayor Pro Tem Basile we proposed re-purposing Village Pond Park to Veterans Park and also honoring Police, firefighters, and others who gave their lives in the service of the community by updating Heroes Park. Click Here
• Mobile App. With City Manager we are getting bids on the most innovative and far-ranging mobile app to improve communications between residents and the City.
• SVUSD. With Mayor Voigts we are trying to improve services by SVUSD and also improve traffic around some of the schools (e.g., FHR, PH, Serrano)
• General Plan. With the help of Councilman Robinson and Mayor Pro Team Basile, the Council unanimously agreed to restructure the General Plan to make it quicker, less expensive, and more focused. Click Here
• Crime – Two years ago major crimes were up nearly 30% but last year they were down 16%. So far this year we are up 5%. The biggest increases are in robbery (+83%), burglary (+28%), aggravated assault (+22%) and rape (+18%). In Jan thru June 2017 there were 13 rapes and 45 aggravated assaults in the City. To check it out for yourself, Click Here. Scott Voigts and I met with Mayor Wagner (Irvine) to explore the possibilities of Irvine contracting with the City, but this seems unlikely. Meanwhile the City Managers have proposed a study of police services and we are moving forward with this.
• Traffic/Parking - I'm asking the city to (a) consider creating a parking lot in the lower Regency Park area, (b) creating a parking lot at the end of Ridge Route near the 5 Fwy, (c) re-considering extending Portola Pkwy, and (d) aggressive solving the problems of cars remaining on the street during street sweeping days/times. Click Here

VOTING RECORDS

More than 90% of the votes by Council are unanimous and respond to ordinary business of the City. In about 10% of the votes, the issues are more complex and there are not unanimous votes. Here’s the list for 2017.

• Make $611,000 payment to County to build new shelter (1/17/2017) – Basile/Gardner opposed. We wanted a local no-kill shelter.
• Randomly decide who shall serve a 2 year Planning Commission term (1/17/17) – Gardner opposed.
• Give CR&R a 1-year extension (2/21/17) – Basile opposed
• Consider allowing residents to vote on City Council compensation (3/7/17) – Hamilton opposed.
• Getting a professional facilitator to handle Strategic Planning sessions so we can generate more effective plans (3/21/17) – Hamilton opposed
• Limit campaign contributions (4/18/17) – Hamilton, Voigts, Robinson opposed.
• Switch to district elections (5/2/17) – Hamilton opposed and Voigts abstained.
• Award senior bus mobility contract to AgeWell Services (6/6/17) – Hamilton opposed.
• Approve capital improvement budget (6/20/17) – Robinson opposed
• Table small cell wireless contract (6/20/17) – Voigts abstained.
• Ordinance to regulate drones (7/11/17) – Basile abstained
• Allow Council members one minute to respond to public speakers immediately after the presentation (7/11/17) – Basile opposed.
• Change public meeting time to 6:30 pm (7/18/17) – Voigts opposed
• Delay proposed lane change at Bake/Trabuco until other options were explored (7/18/17) – Voigts, Robinson opposed.

NETWORKING

I attended the following meetings/events.

• July 4 – Parade
• July 8 – Special Needs Dance
• July 11 – Shot Hole Beetle Meeting
• July 11 – Office Hours
• July 11 - City Council Meeting
• July 18 – Office Hours
• July 18 - City Council Meeting
• July 25 – Legislative meeting with Sen Moorlach and Rep Choi
• July 25 – Office Hours
• July 28 – Seminar on Homelessness
• July 28 – Ribbon Cutting for Patch Coffee co.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Aug 1 – National Night Out (4 pm – Sports Park)
• Aug 1 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• Aug 3 - Ribbon cutting Wal Mart (7:30 am - WalMart)
• Aug 4 – Govt. Contracting Seminar (9 am – City Hall)
• Aug 8 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
• Aug 10 – Loan Depot Ribbon Cutting (11:30 – 26642 Towne Center Drive)
• Aug 10 – Planning/Traffic Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• Aug 15 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
• Aug 15 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• Aug 17 – Parks Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• Aug 22 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
• Aug 24 – Planning/Traffic Commission (7 pm – City Hall)

Most of the events are FREE but some may charge admission. Be sure to check. I plan to be at most of these events so please come by and say hello.

CONTACT

You can discuss issues at the Facebook page Lake Forest Town Square.