Report to the People - October 2015

This report covers the period from September 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 (Note the change in time). I’m on the first floor. Inquire at the Clerk’s office. Occasionally the hours are changed, so be sure to check first.

Town Square – Lake Forest Town Square has 350+ 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 – To date I’ve met with nearly a dozen groups around the City. 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 December 12, 2 to 4 pm, at El Toro Library.

Traffic – The new Traffic Advisory Group (Click here) started meeting on August 25 and meets every fourth Tuesday. It’s open to the public to hear your concerns. This is your City. Here’s a chance to get involved in solving a major problem. BTW – I tried to get the size of the committee expanded to add some very knowledgeable and concerned citizens, but my colleagues (Voigts, Robinson, and Hamilton) shot it down.

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 had an outdoor art display at our August 23 concert in the park. Click Here. I’m still unable to get use of wall space at the City Hall and the Rec Center, but I’m continuing my efforts. I want us to support our local artists.

Here’s a terrific offer from Modjeska Playhouse. Tickets for Friday Oct 2 are 2 for 1. Use promo code 2FOR1GOC when you order from Modjeska Playhouse

Village Pond Park – The feeding prohibition ordinance was passed on March 17. It went into effect April 17. Signs went up and City staff distributed educational flyers. Fines started in July. Click here for the latest news.

Dog Park(s) – Latest news is that the small park on Baffin Bay will be ready by the end November. In addition, the Portola Park workshop recommended a 1 acre dog park at the new Portola Park, which will happen in 2016-7. So we will now make a dent in the needs of 9,000 Lake Forest families with dogs. By my calculations, and compared to other cities, we still need another 1+ acres to cover the demand.

Seniors – Even though my colleagues (Voigts, Robinson, Hamilton) voted against helping “Meals on Wheels” feed nearly 100 Lake Forest residents, I continue to work with Age Well Senior Services to look for a place in the City where they can operate from. If you have a place where they can assemble their meals, please let me know. Click Here for more info.

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

Reclaimed Water – Col. Tom Cagley, Bob Holzclaw, and I have been working to bring reclaimed water to Lake 1 and Lake 2 and also Village Pond Park. The IRWD has been working with the State to make this happen, and the latest report is that we are getting close to being able to make this important switch. I’ll keep you posted.

Animal Services – The City voted to explore alternatives to the current contract with the County. We joined 3 other cities in South Orange County (SJC, RSM, Laguna Hills) in our desire to have higher quality care and better service. Click here for more information. Mayor Pro Tem Kogerman and I met with the President of Shelter Planners of America and came up with a proposal I presented to the City Manager a few weeks ago. We are waiting for his response to get it on the agenda.

Saddleback Ranch Road – Some of the changes being made to Saddleback Ranch Road are just plain silly, especially the decision to reduce it to one lane that must be shared by bicycles and cars, making access into and out of Portola Hills more difficult for the 6,000+ people living there. Click here for more information. I am hoping something can be done, even though the street modifications are already underway. The TAG will take up this issue on Oct 27, but by then the work may be nearly finished.

Homeless – I am meeting with Police and the Soroptimists to create a program in which homeless females and their children can get blankets and needed supplies. I expect that the Soroptimists will announce a fund raiser shortly and I hope you support them.

Put Lake Forest First – I am trying to arrange a promotion of those businesses in the City who appear in the Best of OC edition of OC Register. Stay tuned.

NETWORKING

Last month I attended the following meetings/events.

• · Sept 1 – Board of Supervisors discusses Grand Jury animal care report
• · Sept 1 - Grand Opening – “Once in a Licetime”
• · Sept 1 – Office Hours
• · Sept 1 - City Council Meeting
• · Sept 4 – Kiwanis
• · Sept 8 – Office Hours
• · Sept 9 – Meeting with City Manager
• · Sept 9 – Leadership Academy
• · Sept 11 – Kiwanis
• · Sept 12 – Boy Scout Troop 604 Fund Raiser
• · Sept 14 – 15 – Kiwanis Fundraiser at Miguel’s Restaurant
• · Sept 15 – Office Hours
• · Sept 15 - City Council Meeting
• · Sept 18 – Kiwanis
• · Sept 18 – Affordable housing open house
• · Sept 18 – Meeting with Animal Shelter Planners of America
• · Sept 22 – Office Hours
• · Sept 23 – Chamber of Commerce Mixer
• · Sept 23 – Leadership Academy
• · Sept 25 – Kiwanis
• · Sept 29 – Office Hours

LEGISLATION

Last month the Council voted unanimously on all issues, except –

• · Increasing the size of the Traffic Advisory Group – Voigts, Robinson, Hamilton opposed.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

• · Oct 1 – Meeting with Golden State Mobile Owners League
• · Oct 1 – Breast Cancer Survivors Fundraiser (5:30 pm - The Jewelry Box)
• · Oct 2 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Oct 2 – Legislative Roundtable – Transportation (9-11 – OCTA)
• · Oct 6 – South County Outreach Food Drive (9am-1pm – 7 Whatney, Irvine)
• · Oct 6 – Grand Opening Tutor Doctor (10 am - 7 Whatney, Irvine)
• · Oct 6 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall )
• · Oct 6 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Oct 8 – Planning Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Oct 9 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Oct 10 – Heritage Hill Haunt (4 pm)
• · Oct 13 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · Oct 15 – IRWD Reception for City Leaders (5:30-7:30, Irvine)
• · Oct 15 – Parks and Recreation Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Oct 16 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Oct 20 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · Oct 20 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Oct 23 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Oct 23 – Special Needs Dance (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Oct 24 – Hallowfest (5:30 pm -Lake 2 Clubhouse)
• · Oct 27 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · Oct 27 – Traffic Advisory Group (7 pm City hall)
• · Oct 29 – OC Library Committee ( 4pm – Tustin Library)
• · Oct 29 – Chamber of Commerce Business Expo (5:30 pm – Lake 1 Clubhouse)
• · Oct 30 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)

If you have any upcoming events that are not included, please let me know and I’ll include in the next update.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Here are some of the legislative issues on tap –

• · Meritage Homes desires to add more homes in Foothill Ranch area
• · Contract awards for new Civic/Senior Center
• · Update on Village Pond Park
• · Park Signs
• Costs of July 4th Parade