This report covers the period from Jan 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.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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 550 members and growing, providing valuable input on issues facing the council as well as general issues. Please join.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Listen and Learn – To date I’ve met with nearly a dozen groups around the City. If you have a group and want to share your concerns, let’s get together.
Town Hall Meetings – Next meeting – February 25 at Lake 1 clubhouse
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 my priorities for the next few months
- Ensure the Civic/Senior Center project does not stall.
- Get Village Pond Park renovation under way
- Establish a Traffic Commission to deal with traffic and parking problems
- Develop comprehensive plan for older parks in the City
- Get animal adoption efforts off the ground
- Develop a comprehensive plan for revitalization of retail space so we can compete with all the progress being made in our neighboring cities.
- Get a new City Manager who can assist with these priorities.
SPECIFIC ISSUES
Gateway Center Hotel – The planning Commission voted 4 to 0 to approve building a 102 room hotel on the grounds of the Gateway Center. Many (and I mean “many”) residents are worried about the traffic and parking problems right now, and they worry that a 102 room hotel will only make things worse. I’ve requested that the Council review this decision. Council woman Leah Basile graciously agreed to support my request. I’ll keep you posted as to when the Council will review so you can bring your concerns.
Traffic. Our traffic and parking problems only seem to grow and we’re building up quite a backlog of issues that should be addressed. I’ve asked for a Traffic and Parking Commission and hopefully that appears on our agenda soon. Click Here I've also been asking for months for the staff to produce a report on the accident rate for critical intersections in the City. Still no report!
Planning Commission – On Jan 17 the Council appointed Jolene Fuentes, Mark Armando, and Dave Carter. FWIW – Dave Carter was selected as one of the top 100 influential people in OC by the Register. Click Here
Crime – Two years ago major crimes were up nearly 30% but this year they were down 16%. The biggest decreases are in robbery (-43%) and larceny/thefts (-22%) but rapes (+21%) and aggravated assaults (+6%) are up. From Jan to December there were 17 rapes and 75 aggravated assaults in the City. To check it out for yourself, Click Here.
Musick Jail – Plans to build the large jail on the grounds of Musick have been progressing, and now the County says that construction could start in “late 2017 and would continue for 18 to 24 months.” This will add 900 new beds and will bring more serious offenders.
Community Preparedness Academy – Registration is now open. Classes begin March 1 and are held for 6 consecutive weeks at 6 pm on Wednesdays at City Hall. Sign up now. Click Here.
Parks. The upgrade to our existing parks will begin soon. Click Here to learn more. The City is holding a series of workshops for each of the parks. We had our first two workshops in January and the next one is scheduled for Feb 11. Click here to see how they went.
Meanwhile Village Pond Park has been put on hold again. The project is going to be re-bid. Hopefully we will start before Summer.
Parks Commission – On Jan 3 the Council appointed Lisa Porter and Victor Scherr to 4 year terms. The vote was unanimous.
Animal Care – We are stuck with the County shelter because the Gang of 3 wanted to please the Supervisors (and get their endorsement), but we are moving forward with some alternate plans to reduce admissions. The City funded an animal rescue group to do just this. Click Here.
Unfortunately we just paid the County $611,000 as our share of the new animal shelter in Tustin. For our contribution we get no equity at all, nor do we get any equity in the sale or changed use of the abandoned shelter in Orange. This terrible deal was approved last year by Voigts, Hamilton, and Robinson. Councilman Adam Nick and I opposed the deal at the time. Councilwoman Leah Basile and I once more objected on Jan 17 when the City paid the bill. There are better and less expensive ways to provide care, but my colleagues are sticking with the County. In return, County Supervisors consistently endorse these three for re-election. It makes you wonder whose interests are being served?
NETWORKING
Last month I attended the following meetings/events.
- Jan 3 – Office Hours
- Jan 3 - City Council Meeting
- Jan 8 – Girl Scout Silver Award Ceremony
- Jan 10 – Office Hours
- Jan 11 – Social Media Seminar (see photo)
- Jan 14 – Park Workshop (see photo)
- Jan17 – Office Hours
- Jan17 - City Council Meeting
- Jan18 – New Business Reception (see photo)
- Jan 21 – Park Workshop (see photo)
- Jan 24 – Office Hours
- Jan 24 – SVUSD Superintendent search workshop
- Jan 28 –Snow Fest (see photo)
- Jan 31 – Exporting Essentials
- Jan 31 – Office Hours
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Feb 6 – Parade Committee (6 to 7 pm – Sports Park)
- Feb 7 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
- Feb 7 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
- Feb 9 – Planning Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
- Feb 11 – Park Workshop (10 am – Rancho Serrano Park)
- Feb 11 – ETHS Erin Joyce Fund Raiser (9 am – ETHS)
- Feb 13 – Heroes Hall (3 pm – 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa)
- Feb 14 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
- Feb 16 – Parks and Recreation Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
- Feb 17 – Lake Forest Garden Club (9:30 am – Lake 1 clubhouse)
- Feb 18 – Lake Forest Pet Event (10 am to 2 pm – Sports Park)
- Feb 21 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
- Feb 21 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
- Feb 21 – Sun & Sail Women’s Club White Elephant Sale (5 pm – Lake 2 clubhouse)
- Feb 22 – Meet the Mayor (5:30 pm – Mercedes Benz of Foothill Ranch)
- Feb 25 – Park Workshop (10 am – Regency Park)
- Feb 28 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
Most of the events are FREE but some may charge admission. Be sure to check.
CONTACT
You can discuss issues at the Facebook page Lake Forest Town Square.
