City Parallels Capo School District

Mission Viejo’s council majority members are ready to take on a new capital improvement project. During the May 3 meeting, they could give final approval to a $4-million renovation of the city-owned tennis club located near the southwest corner of Marguerite Parkway and Casta Drive.

Beginning with a modest request from tennis club members for one new court, the project has expanded considerably in scope and cost. Given the city’s history of project management, the cost of $4 million could double or triple by the time it’s finished. The council majority says the city has a record of keeping costs within budget. They keep this record intact by increasing the budget to whatever amount they end up spending,

The city’s first priorities should be taking care of essential public services and maintaining what it has, especially during uncertain economic times. Residents have repeatedly asked for focus on streets, slopes and safety. The city’s schedule of resurfacing streets on a seven-year cycle has proven seriously inadequate, and some city-owned slopes have been neglected for years.

To take on new projects while ignoring basics parallels the attitude of the Fleming-era Capistrano school board. The district overspent during good times and continued overspending as revenues fell. The former board forged ahead with a $50-million administration center and a $150-million high school, both in San Juan Capistrano, at the expense of maintaining existing facilities. After the old board members were either recalled or voted out, the new board had new buildings the district couldn’t afford, aging facilities in need of repair and a budget deficit of $7 million before the statewide financial crisis hit.

Particularly troubling with the city’s tennis center project is the city staff’s rush to get started when there’s no urgent need. Members of the tennis club asked for an additional court so they could hold tournaments. The city staff came up with an ambitious plan that includes demolition and reconstruction of an existing building, moving a parking lot, creating a new lot and adding an outdoor basketball court. Even the tennis club members objected to some of the plans, including the basketball court.

The list of objections from neighbors and other residents has grown with the scope of the project. The city also understated environmental issues, and members of the public now say they didn’t have ample opportunity to ask questions or challenge the plan. The starting date for the project is in September. Perhaps residents who live near the project will make their opinion known in the next election when three council seats will be up for grabs. Councilman John Paul Ledesma is termed out, and Council Members Trish Kelley and Dave Leckness are both likely contenders in the November 8 election.