Aug. 20 Council Meeting Summary
Editorial staff

Playing to a nearly empty room, the council accomplished little despite prolonging the meeting for more than four hours. Councilman Frank Ury was absent.

Anyone wanting to watch the online video of the meeting might notice a substantial portion is gone. Public comments aren't on the tape, and the agenda order is so mixed up, it's hard to tell what's missing.

Obviously missing is any sign of leadership on the council. Nearly all of the agenda items were approved 4-0 as part of the consent calendar. Gone are the days of any council member pretending to be a watchdog, pulling items for debate or scrutinizing the check register. The city staff is running the show, and council members are rubberstamping the predetermined outcome during meetings.

Preempting public comments at the beginning of the open session, four items were pulled forward regarding the 2005-2009 Implementation Plan for the Community Development Project Area. No member of the public spoke, and the review, update and adoption of the plan were rubberstamped 4-0. Related CDA agenda items with regard to eliminating time limits on the establishment of loans, advances and indebtedness or the repayment of indebtedness were also rubberstamped 4-0.

One meeting observer said the Community Development Area will endure even if the entire city is under water after falling into the sea.

Residents of a neighborhood near Capo Valley High School asked for measures to reduce school-related traffic and parking problems on their streets. The council denied their request for a no-stopping, no-parking permit program on Oso Rojo Lane, La Quilla Lane, De La Luna Drive, Consuelo Place, Boleada Drive, Oliva Place, Poco Place, Jacinto Drive and Mirar Vista Drive.

An observer reported, “The council decided to continue the matter and directed the city manager to write a letter to CUSD requesting a proctor on Oso Rojo Lane. What a joke. They had the opportunity to establish a no-stopping and no-parking zone whereby cars could be ticketed and the problem would abruptly end. The school district recently reduced spending on classroom needs by millions of dollars because it has no money. Now it’s supposed to send out a politeness proctor to enforce the city’s nonexistent rules.”

The council next reviewed the city’s Lawful Hiring Compliance Ordinance (which prevents the city from hiring illegal workers or contracting with firms that employ illegal aliens). MacLean said he was “on the fence” and gave an example of a software vendor that might have an employee in India providing technical assistance to a computer operator in city hall.

An observer commented, “Can anyone on this council come up with language to distinguish an illegal alien living in the United States from someone who lives in India?”

Toward the end of the meeting, Reavis had several agenda items under her council comments. First, the matter of widening Ortega Highway, which is under the control of Caltrans – an agency ready to steamroll the city of San Juan Capistrano and any lawsuits in its way. Second, she talked about receiving complaints regarding boats and RVs parked in front of homes. The city has clear and enforceable code to handle this without grandstanding during a council meeting. Third, she discussed her “concern” with the proliferation of boarding homes. An example of such a home is the one she recently voted to approve on Calle Hogar despite strong opposition from the neighborhood. Are residents paying attention?