Report to the People - Sept 1

This report covers the period from August 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.

Office hours are every Tuesday from 3 pm to 5 pm. 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.

Volunteer Recognition – The city is going to formally recognize some of the outstanding volunteers we have. I have been profiling them on The Patch for the past few years, so it’s nice to see this process being formalized now. Sept 28 is the deadline to nominate someone. Click Here for more info.

Traffic – The new Traffic Advisory Group (Click here) was appointed and this time you got to see who voted for whom. Their kick off meeting was August 25. PS – I was disappointed that only 1 person (Bob Holzclaw) from the public attended. This is your City. Here’s a chance to get involved in solving a major problem.

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.

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. We are still waiting for the evaluation and 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. By my calculations, and compared to other cities, we still need another 1+ acres to cover the demand.

Portola Park - Second workshop finished on June 3. Consultants offered proposed plan to Parks and Recreation Commission in July, and it should go to the Council in September or October. This park is being built by the developer, so it’s not certain when construction would start.

Whispering Hills - Second workshop was held on August 6. The plans are going to the Parks and Recreation Commission but it’s uncertain what’s going to happen.

Seniors – Even though my colleagues 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 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 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 make this important switch. I’ll keep you posted.

Animal Control Services – The City voted to explore alternatives to the current contract with the County. We joined 4 other cities (SJC, RSM, Laguna Hills, Brea) in our desire to have higher quality care and better service. Click here for more information. I am busy doing preliminary work on this issue right now.

NETWORKING

Last month I attended the following meetings/events.

• · Aug 4 – Office Hours
• · Aug 4 – National Night Out
• · Aug 4 - City Council Meeting
• · Aug 6 – Whispering Hills workshop
• · Aug 7 – Kiwanis
• · Aug 7 – Opening Night “Complete Works of Shakespeare”
• · Aug 11 – Office Hours
• · Aug 14 – Kiwanis
• · Aug 15 – Town hall Meeting
• · Aug 17 – Grand Opening – Q.S. Deli
• · Aug 18 – Office Hours
• · Aug 19 – Brown is the new Green (6 to 8 pm, IRWD Irvine)
• · Aug 20 – Aug 20 – Parks and Recreation Commission
• · Aug 21 – Kiwanis
• · Aug 21 – Grand Opening – O’Reilly Auto Parts
• · Aug 22 – Balls 4 a Cause benefit for Boys and Girls Club
• · Aug 23 – Art in the Park
• · Aug 23 - Concert in the Park
• · Aug 25 – Office Hours
• · Aug 25 – Traffic Advisory group
• · Aug 28 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)

LEGISLATION

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

· $10,000 bonus to City Manager (Gardner opposed)

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

• · Sept 1 – Board of Supervisors discusses Grand Jury animal care report (9 am)
• · Sept 1 - Grand Opening – “Once in a Lifetime” (11 am – 24346 Miurlands)
• · Sept 1 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall )
• · Sept 1 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Sept 4 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Sept 8 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · Sept 9 – Senior Advisory Group (10 to 12 – City Hall)
• · Sept 9 – Meeting with City Manager (2 – 4 pm – City Hall)
• · Sept 9 – Leadership Academy Begins (6:30 pm – City Hall)
• · Sept 10 – Planning Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Sept 11 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Sept 14 – 15 – Kiwanis Fundraiser at Miguel’s Restaurant (Foothill Ranch)
• · Sept 15 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · Sept 15 - City Council Meeting (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Sept 17 – Parks and Recreation Commission (7 pm – City Hall)
• · Sept 18 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Sept 22 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · Sept 24 – Traffic Advisory Group (7 pm City hall)
• · Sept 25 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)
• · Sept 29 – Office Hours (3 to 5 pm – City Hall)
• · Oct 1 – Meeting with Golden State Mobile Owners League (7 pm)
• · Oct 2 – Kiwanis (7:15 to 8:15 – Mimi’s Café)

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
• · Contract awards for new Civic/Senior Center
• · Update on Village Pond Park
• · Park Signs

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 Town Hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be on December 12 at 2 pm at the El Toro Public Library.

B;L