MISSION VIEJO MINUTES City Council Workshop January 29, 2007

An Adjourned Meeting/Workshop of the City Council of the City of Mission Viejo, California, was called to order by Mayor Reavis at 5:10 p.m., on January 29, 2007, at 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, California.

A complete copy of the agenda for the meeting containing all items as shown herein was posted by 5:00 p.m. on January 24, 2007, on the outdoor bulletin board at City Hall. Copies were also posted at the Montanoso Recreation and Fitness Center, 25800 Montanoso Drive, and the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

CALL TO ORDER—CITY COUNCIL

Present:
Council Member Kelley Council Member MacLean (arrived at 5:13 p.m.) Council Member Ury Mayor Pro Tempore Ledesma Mayor Reavis
Absent:
None
Staff Present:
Dennis Wilberg, City Manager Irwin Bornstein, Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services
William P. Curley III, City Attorney Karen Hamman, City Clerk

Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Reavis

Invocation: Council Member Kelley

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Kathy Miramontes, M.V.: expressed concern with a barking dog in her neighborhood and suggested that the City adopt an ordinance similar to the County’s to allow opportunity for a real solution to the problem.

The following spoke in support of the Kids Factory Program and asked the City Council to consider adding additional funds to the budget to expand the program to all schools in Mission Viejo: Julie Hatchell, Principal, Phillip J. Reilly Elementary School, M.V.; Bob Gaebel, Principal, De Portola Elementary School, M.V.; Christi Hull, M.V.; Gretchen Mars, M.V.; and Denise Jones, M.V.

2007-2009 BUDGET PLANNING WORKSHOP

1. Master Financial Plan Update for 2007

Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services Irwin Bornstein presented thestaff report for the 2007 Master Financial Plan.
Staff answered the City Council’s questions and took direction regarding the following Council goals:

1. Expanding the Kids Factory Program.
2. Completing the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center expansion, to include adding Bid Alternates 1 and 2 back to the budget, re-roofing the existing Community Center to match the addition/expansion, adding a new Veteran’s Memorial area on the property, and completing the soccer fields at the site.
3. Addressing and anticipating increased road construction costs.
4. Improving lighting in the rear portion of the City Council Chamber.
5. Evaluating additional police services employees, including school resource officers.
Council Member MacLean vacated the dais at 6:16 p.m. and he returned at 6:35 p.m.

RECESS

At 7:10 p.m., Mayor Reavis declared a recess. The City Council returned at 7:25 p.m., with all five Council Members present.

2. Long-Range Goals

Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services Irwin Bornstein presented the staff report.
Mayor Reavis requested that staff arrange a live emergency drill this year and suggested that staff look into purchasing bull horns for emergency preparedness.

COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

Council Member Kelley

Suggested that the City Council hold a goal setting workshop/retreat and stated that she looks forward to receiving more details and financial options as we move forward in the budget process. Thanked staff for the work they have done and expressed her interest in fine tuning the budget and looking towards additional goals and projects that may need the Council’s attention.

Council Member MacLean

Supported the idea of a City Council goal setting workshop and suggested his personal wish-list for the 2007-2009 budget as follows: (1) reconsideration of an electronic message board at the corner of La Paz Road and Marguerite Parkway, (2) revamping or restructuring that corner as well, (3) putting the necessary resources into the Murray Center expansion so the project is done right, and (4) funding a Rose Parade float to support and advertise the community and possibly partnering with the non-profit and business communities.

Council Member Ury

3. 2007 Goals

Council Member Ury presented his goals for 2007 which include: (1) determining the appropriate level of budget surplus, (2) authorizing an additional employee in the transportation department, (3) sending the issue of traffic synchronization to the Planning and Transportation Commission and working on a multi-jurisdictional traffic synch plan along Oso Parkway from Coto de Caza to Laguna Niguel, (4) evaluating areas in the City that need to be rehabilitated or revitalized, (5) renovating the Montanoso Recreation Center bathrooms, (6) developing a Universally Accessible Playground for children with disabilities as part of the City’s park renovation program, (7) adding six additional sites to the Saddleback youth recreation Kid’s Factory program, (8) asking the Planning and Transportation Commission to review the parking problems at the Youth Athletic Park, (9)considering a succession plan for the City Manager and Treasurer positions, and (10)asking the Investment Advisory Commission to evaluate the City’s employee retirement program.

Mayor Pro Tempore Ledesma

Stated that a lot of good ideas have been discussed this evening and he supports the idea of a goal setting workshop.

Mayor Reavis

Suggested that the Community Services Commission, rather than the Planning Commission, take a look at some of Council Member Ury’s recreation-related goals. Suggested her personal goals as follows: (1) recertify the City’s housing element in the coming year, (2) receive a presentation from the Urban Land Institute Technical Advisory Panel regarding the Village Center area, (3) resolve vacancies at the Shops at Mission Viejo, (4) meet with a consultant to look at an economic development program for the City, (5) meet with the Simon Corporation regarding expansion plans at the mall, (6) consider options for the C&D contract renewal and the trash contract renewal, (7) support the City Manager’s work with the Orange County Council of Governments on RHNA numbers, (8) evaluate the YMCA contract and renovations, (9) receive information and an assessment from staff on the programs at the Potocki Center, and (10) oppose a CUSD blanket EIR and receive and evaluate audit information when complete. Stated that she is excited about the progress and the work ahead.

ADJOURNMENT TO FEBRUARY 5, 2007, AT 5:00 P.M.

At the hour of 8:02 p.m., Mayor Reavis adjourned the meeting in memory of Al Deffebach, to Monday, February 5, 2007, at 5:00 p.m.

Karen Hamman, City Clerk