|
 |
||
|
Several critical priorities exist for our city, and I hope this letter will raise awareness and provide more focus on what is needed. Mission Viejo has an unfunded pension liability in excess of $3 million to CalPERS, which does not include additional unfunded liabilities for health plans in our city. Look at the balance sheets of large airlines if you question the importance of this item.The liability has become semi-permanent just because it has not been resolved. Our city seems to have an inability to control construction costs. Most projects run significantly over budget with a seeming disposition to spend more. Perhaps our non-grant projects should be pre-funded or prepaid to control costs. The grant projects such as the expansion of the community and senior center should have strict cost-control components built in, such as a cost review panel that reports frequently to the city council on cost overruns or reductions. The panel should be voluntary and comprised of private citizens with no city employee representation. One of the highest priorities in Mission Viejo is to address the aging business centers. We should create opportunities for existing businesses and encourage more businesses to locate in our city. We should be retaining business dollars by encouraging shopping in Mission Viejo instead of losing dollars to other cities. The business centers at La Paz and Marguerite are an example. They are dated on both sides of La Paz across from City Hall. The centers need a complete redesign and facelift for our commercial businesses, which could be tied to the walking trails and creek in the area. These developments are always dependent upon costs and factors such as grants, other funding and landowners working with the city. Other centers such as the Mervyn's center near the freeway are also in the same condition. Ringing business cash registers and visitors bring income to our city, but unfortunately, businesses are moving to newer and fresher locations such as Foothill Ranch and Ladera Ranch. While businesses move or struggle, our council majority fritters away precious time debating about sports facilities, gymnasiums or mega sports complexes. While it is fine to have sport opportunities in our city, income is generated by our businesses. This council, like previous ones, spends time converting our valuable commercial areas to residential, further depressing the income of our city and increasing costs of maintenance with high-density housing. When was the last time we had a business symposium in Mission Viejo in the Saddleback Room at City Hall? What type of marketing person is available in the city and accountable to the council to push for more businesses and create more jobs for our citizens? Until a reordering of priorities occurs, our city will lose in the short and long term, and our citizens will suffer as a consequence. James Edward Woodin |
||