Report to the People - May 2017

This report covers the period from April 1 to 30. 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 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. Please join.

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

Town Hall Meetings – Last meeting was Feb 25 (Click here). Next meeting will be in May 20.

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 and an update on what’s happening.

• Ensure the Civic/Senior Center project does not stall.
  • It is moving ahead on schedule. Ground breaking is set for May 12.
• Get Village Pond Park renovation under way
  • achieved – now let’s get it re-opened by year’s end
• Establish a Traffic Commission to deal with traffic and parking problems
  • partially achieved – now let’s see what they actually get done
  • new ordinance passed. Click here for more information.
• Develop comprehensive plan for older parks in the City
  • 5 workshops held. Waiting for staff report. I attended all meetings.
• Get animal adoption efforts off the ground
  • Reptile Rescue opened in March and the Adoption Center opened on April 24.
• 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 next month
• Get a new City Manager who can assist with these priorities.
  • To be announced May 2. Vote was 5 to 0.

SPECIFIC ISSUES

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 asked for a Traffic and Parking Commission but Voigts-Hamilton-Robinson voted instead to put the traffic/parking issues inside the Planning Commission. Click Here

Mayor Pro Tem Basile agreed to head up a committee that will work with the Police Chief to see what can be done to deal with existing problems in some areas. We will consider adding a Parking Officer at our next budget meeting.

Crime – Two years ago major crimes were up nearly 30% but last year they were down 16%. So far this year we are up 2%. The biggest increases are in robbery (+800%), burglary (+67%), aggravated assault (+56%) and rape (+14%). In Jan thru March 2017 there were 8 rapes and 25 aggravated assaults in the City. To check it out for yourself, Click Here.

Parks. Village Pond Park has been closed, is under construction, and should be re-opened in early 2018. Thanks to former Councilman Nick and Mayor Pro Tem Basile. Without them this would have never happened!

Animal Care – Our own Animal Adoption Center opened on April 24. Click Here to read more about it. I will bring a bunch of ideas to the budget meeting next week.

City Hall – Mayor Pro Tem and I asked that the City agendize a discussion of opening City Hall 5 days a week, every week. Right now City Hall shuts down every other Friday. Most cities are open every day and some cities are even open on Saturdays.

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.

• 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

FWIW – Voigts-Hamilton-Robinson vote together more than 90% of the time when the votes are not unanimous. Former Councilman Adam Nick and I voted together about 50% of the time under the same circumstances. Mayor Pro Tem Leah Basile and I are running about 50%.

NETWORKING

Last month I attended the following meetings/events.

• Apr 2 – Animal Advocates
• Apr 3 – Parade Committee
• Apr 4 – Office Hours
• Apr 4 - City Council Meeting
• Apr 5 – Commercial Broker Workshop
• Apr 8 – Bunny Blast
• Apr 11 – Office Hours
• Apr 14 – Jim Gardner at Kiwanis
• Apr 17 – Special meeting to hire City Manager
• Apr 17 – Meeting with Autumnwood HOA
• Apr 18 – Office Hours
• Apr 18 - City Council Meeting
• Apr 25 – Office Hours
• Apr 27 – Excellence for Seniors Luncheon
• Apr 28 – Leadership Breakfast
• Apr 28 – Business Smart Workshop
• April 28 – Ribbon Cutting – Performer’s Academy
• Apr 29 – Special Needs Resource Fair
• April 29 – Ribbon Cutting - PetLingo

UPCOMING EVENTS

• May 1 – Parade Committee (6 to 7 pm – Sports Park)
• May 2 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
• May 2 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• May 6 – Rancho Fiesta Days (11 to 3 – Heritage Hill)
• May 9 – Special Budget Workshop (5 pm – City Hall)
• May 9 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
• May 11 –County Library Committee (4 to 5 pm – Tustin)
• May 11 – Planning Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• May 11 – Teen Committee (6 pm – Sports Park)
• May 12 – Civic Center Groundbreaking (10 to 11 – Indian Ocean Drive)
• May 12 – Secrets and Strategies of Business Success (8:30 am – Sports Park)
• May 13 – Aliso Creek Clean Up (9 am – Cherry Ave and Fernback)
• May 16 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
• May 16 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• May 17 – SVUSD Meet new Supt (3:30 to 5:30 – SVUSD Board Room)
• May 28 – Parks and Recreation Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• May 23 – Office Hours (4 to 6 pm – City Hall)
• May 25 – Teen Committee (6 pm – Sports Park)

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.