Report to the People - June 2015

This report covers the period from June 1 to 30. It represents the views of Councilman Gardner and does not reflect official City policy.

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.

Town Square – Lake Forest Town Square has 200+ 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 meet 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

Musick Jail – According to staff, the Sheriff decided NOT to build 32 maximum security cells at Musick Jail, although she is still going ahead with the $100,000,000 addition to hold 512 more prisoners. After years of criticism from me and a few citizens (e.g., Bob Holzclaw, Merijoe Alexrod), the Sheriff finally relented. This is a major win for the safety of our citizens. Click here for more information.

Promoting the Arts in Lake Forest - The second 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 has distributed 300+ educational flyers. Fines start in July. We are still waiting 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 – The second workshop finished on June 3. Consultants will offer the proposed plan to Parks and Recreation Commission in July, and if it is approved, will go to the Council in August. This park is being built by the developer, so it’s not certain when construction would start.

Whispering Hills – The 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.

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.

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.

Budget – I tried to get my colleagues to reduce the Council portion of the budget by 5%, mostly reducing the amount spent on travelling, but the Voigts/Robinson/Hamilton trio would only decrease it by $1000. I tried to reduce our street sweeping contract by $200,000 but the trio voted against it, instead giving the lucrative contract to Athens Services who have been generous contributors to Voigts and Robinson campaigns.

Animal Control Services – After two scathing reports about the County shelter, Councilman Nick and I were joined by Mayor Voigts to request a comprehensive discussion about what’s going on. Click here for more information. We will have a complete discussion at the second meeting in July.

NETWORKING

In June I attended the following meetings/events.

• · June 2 – Office Hours
• · June 2 - City Council Meeting
• · June 3 – Portola Park planning workshop
• · June 5 – Marijuana Summit
• · June 9 – Office Hours
• · June 12 – ACC-OC Meeting
• · June 13/14 – Dino Days
• · June 15 – Parade Committee
• · June 16 – Office Hours
• · June 16 - City Council Meeting
• · June 19 – Kiwanis
• · June 23 – Office Hours
• · June 23 – Chamber of Commerce
• · June 24 – Eagle Scout Court of Honor
• · June 25 – Parade Committee
• · June 26 – Kiwanis
• · June 26 – Water District meeting
• · June 29 – Parade Committee
• · June 30 – Office Hours

LEGISLATION

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

• · Appoint Councilman Nick to Joint Powers Insurance Agency (Voigts, Robinson opposed).
• · Save $200,000 on street sweeping contract by sweeping every other week during the half of the year where there is little debris on the group (Voigts, Robinson, Hamilton opposed).
• · Approve contract with OCSD without questioning the sharp raise (Gardner, Nick opposed)
• · Set up ad hoc committee to seek better options for Police services (Voigts, Robinson opposed)

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

• · July 1 – Meeting with City Manager
• · July 1 – Chamber of Commerce Mixer (5:30 – Applied Medical)
• · July 3- Kiwanis (7:15 am to 8:15 am – Mimi’s Café)
• · July 4 - Parade
• · July 7 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · July 7 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• · July 8 – Senior Advisory (10 am – City hall)
• · July 8 – Meeting with City Council members for other cities
• · July 9 – Planning Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• · July 9 – ACC-OC Reception (5:30)
• · July 10 – Kiwanis (7:15 am to 8:15 am – Mimi’s Café)
• · July 11 – Cedar Glen recycling Events (9 am to 11 am – Cedar Glen HOA)
• · July 14 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · July 15 – Meeting with City Manager
• · July 16 – Parks Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• July 16 - Opening of “American Tall Tales” at Modjeska Playhouse (8 pm)
• · July 17 – Kiwanis (7:15 am to 8:15 am – Mimi’s Café)
• · July 21 - Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · July 21 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• · July 22 – Special Needs Dance (6 pm – City Hall)
• · July 23 – Special Olympics Breakfast (9 to 10:30 am – Laguna Hills Community Center)
• · July 24 – Kiwanis (7:15 am to 8:15 am – Mimi’s Café)
• · July 24 – City Payroll Tax Seminar (9:00 am – City hall)
• · July 26 – Summer Concert (5:30 to 7:30 pm – Sports Park)
• · July 26 – Relay for Life (6:00 pm – Sports Park)
• · July 27 – Parade Committee (6 pm – Sports Park)
• · July 28 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · July 29 – Lake Forest Day at OC Fair (9:00 am)
• · July 29 – Meeting with City Manager
• · July 31 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Aug 4 – National Night Out (4pm – Sports Park)

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
• · PCN process (allowing more stores selling alcohol in the City)
• · Contract awards for new Civic/Senior Center
• · Respond to Grand Jury report on County animal shelter

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 comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 3 pm to 5 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a mini town meeting every month. The next meeting will be on August 15 at 2 pm at the El Toro Public Library.

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