With a short agenda and little business to transact, the council held its last regular meeting of the year with unusual calm.

The only presentation was Mayor Trish Kelley’s videotaped State of the City Address. A portion of the script read by Kelley was about Mission Viejo’s economic development. With no economic development program of significance, the city’s impact on business is minimal at best. The address referred to The Shops at Mission Viejo being “fully leased.” With Saks on the verge of leaving, Macy’s planning to move into the Robinsons-May space, Casual Corner leaving and The Bombay Co. gone, the status of leases is secondary.

The State of the City Address mentioned numbers: $23.9 million in the city’s General Fund and $33.4 total discretionary funds. Again, the missing information is the amount remaining in city coffers after subtracting encumbered funds and appropriated funds from reserves. What about unfunded retiree medical (more than $5 million) and interest payments on $50 million of bonded indebtedness? Also noticeably absent from the script was any mention of other council members besides Kelley.

Jim Leach spoke on behalf of the Mission Viejo Foundation, which was formed in May. He gave a partial view of the foundation’s financial status, including a city grant of $184,000 as startup money, $22,000 in pledges from residents and $314,000 in corporate pledges from companies represented by the foundation’s 13 board members. His mention of $500,000 “assets” apparently didn’t account for expenses, including the director’s $9,000-plus monthly salary. As other accomplishments, he listed the foundation’s installation of phone, fax and email, the formation of five committees, design of a logo and stationery and the IRS’s granting of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

An architect, Bob Coffee, presented information about the community center addition of 12,000 sq. ft. of space. The staff’s recommended action was to approve the site plan for the expansion. Two residents made public comments regarding traffic, parking, lighting, noise and the loss of a soccer field. The amount budgeted for the project is $5.5 million, which includes a state grant of $3 million. The council voted 5-0 to approve the site plan.

City Manager Dennis Wilberg said a special meeting of the council will be held Dec. 13 to discuss choosing a new city attorney firm, awarding the contract for widening Crown Valley Parkway and possibly awarding the public outreach contract for widening Crown Valley.

The council’s final item of business was to select a mayor for 2006. Councilman John Paul Ledesma said he supported the city practice of rotating the position, and he nominated Councilman MacLean. Coucilwoman Gail Reavis seconded the motion, stating she also supports the practice. The motion carried 5-0. Councilman Ury was selected as mayor pro-tem for 2006 with a 5-0 vote.