Council meeting summary, April 3

Many of those attending the April 3 council meeting came for school-related agenda items. Three council members – John Paul Ledesma, Gail Reavis and Trish Kelley – proposed an audit of Mission Viejo tax dollars received and spent by Capistrano Unified School District.

Council members said CUSD parents asked them to propose an audit of Measure A, Redevelopment Agency and Mello-Roos monies. Those who spoke during public comments pointed to the city’s aging and deteriorating school facilities while neighboring cities have new schools built with some of the Mission Viejo tax dollars.

Kelley spoke first, asking for an independent audit of CUSD’s receipts and expenditures of Mission Viejo Mello-Roos, Measure A and Redevelopment Agency funds.

Ledesma provided the most detailed information and pointed to the lack of equity with regard to facilities. He made a motion to approve his four-point proposal: 1) demand that school facilities be brought up to standards, 2) find out why students are bused in from San Juan Capistrano, 3) get bids for auditing receipt and expenditure of funds, 4) direct staff to explain funding in the City Outlook magazine. At one point, MacLean attempted to interrupt Ledesma, talking over him while Ledesma continued.

Reavis supported the audit, saying CUSD’s facilities in Mission Viejo need attention. She commended parents for their tenacity and cited a CUSD mission statement saying the community has the right to hold the school district accountable.

Neither Councilman Lance MacLean nor Frank Ury seemed interested in discussing the agenda item. Instead of discussing the audit, Ury asked the audience, “Do you want a speech or do you want to hear what we can do?” After chastising others for making speeches, he proceeded to make a speech, saying the council has no more authority than a citizen requesting public information.

Apparently referring to council members supporting the item, MacLean said, “I don’t like the hype I hear up here.” He then read a letter from CUSD Supt. James Fleming, saying the school board would meet April 24 to discuss the possibility of spending more money on Mission Viejo school facilities but not offering a time line. The mood of audience members suggested they didn’t like the hype coming from Fleming, given the condition of school facilities and the long-term problems. MacLean then suggested other council members “get out of town more often” to see that school facilities are worse in other communities.

Prior to the vote, Ury requested a division of the question to separate Ledesma’s four points. Ury claimed some of the statements weren’t “well thought out.” Ury’s motion to divide the question failed, and the council approved the item 5-0.

The council next considered Ury’s request for a feasibility study regarding the development of Sunrise Park. Kelley seconded his motion but asked the purpose. Ury harshly responded, “Did you read my agenda item?” When Kelley said she had, he said he would read it to her slowly. Ury’s motion for the feasibility study failed, with Ury and Kelley voting for and MacLean, Ledesma and Reavis against.

The council also approved a town hall meeting 5-0, scheduling it for May 8. The item was apparently requested by Diane Greenwood, who recently announced her intention to run for a council seat. Despite very low attendance this year at council meetings, no one asked why another meeting of any kind is needed or how much the meeting would cost.