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The Buzz The Mission Viejo City Council majority stirred up controversy by putting 20,000 homes into “Special Fire Protection Areas” when the council had an option to do nothing at all. Despite the new, innocuous-sounding areas, the old fire hazard zone maps are still on the city’s website, and nothing has changed: http://maps.digitalmapcentral.com/production/VECommunityView/cities/Missionviejo/index.aspx Go to View and select Fire Hazard. The implications of being rezoned into the new areas could raise homeowners’ insurance rates and lower property values when sellers have to disclose they are in the special zones. The impact is currently not clear, primarily because no homes in the special zones have burned. If a seller didn’t disclose the risk and a home in the “special zone” burned in a wildfire, does anyone think the buyer wouldn’t sue the seller, real estate agent and everyone else in sight? As for why the Fire Authority wanted cities to increase the fire hazard zones (regardless of what the council majority calls the zones), citizens should expect to be billed for inspections or other demands from the Fire Authority. It will take time for the matter to unfold. *** As another example of a time bomb, consider the fiasco that came to light last week at the county level. From Orange Juice blog, “Late Wednesday and Thursday the press this week reported that the Superior Court ruled against Orange County, in the trial in which the State of California claimed that our Supervisors had improperly diverted property tax revenues to the County budget. The result, unless the County successfully appeals that decision, is that the County owes the State millions of dollars it had diverted and cannot anticipate such largesse in future years.” http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2013/05/damage-control-in-orange-county-government/ Current officeholders who spent the money are blaming their predecessors. *** With the OC Register putting up a pay wall to its digital version, try the Voice of OC for political news. For coverage of the county’s financial woes, check out http://www.voiceofoc.org/county/article_691a2960-b829-11e2-918b-0019bb2963f4.html . From readers’ suggestions, if the Board of Supervisors proceeds with layoffs, they could start by firing themselves. *** An all-volunteer South County animal rescue effort has found homes for thousands of pets in its relatively short history. Read about the Modjeska Ranch Rescue (MRR) at http://www.modjeskaranchrescue.org/ If it weren’t for such privately run organizations, public animal shelters would be overwhelmed. Unlike some public shelters, Modjeska takes in aging animals. Community members can support the effort on Sun., May 26, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., by attending a benefit for MRR. A $20 donation at the door includes wine tasting in a friendly and relaxed setting, plus an art show and sale. A generous portion of each art sale goes to the rescue. The event is at Gardens of “Islandia,” 29022 Kommers Lane, Mojeska Canyon, home of Greg Killingsworth & Nor. Phone (949) 584-7289. *** Knights of Columbus at St. Kilian will assist Mission Hospital with a blood drive on Fri., May 17, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Hughes Hall at the church, 26872 Estanciero Drive, Mission Viejo. For more information, call (949) 770-0710. *** Lake Forest will host a Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Fri., May 17, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., at Foothill Family Church, 19432 Bake Parkway, Foothill Ranch. A complimentary breakfast will be served, and RSVPs are required. Bill Morrow (former state assemblyman, state senator and JAG officer in USMC) will be the featured speaker. To RSVP, email jonathan@communicationslab.com or call Jonathan at (949) 215-5539. *** Three council members (Cathy Schlicht, Rhonda Reardon and Trish Kelley) have asked the city staff to provide a list of expenses for city festivals, events and programs. The first request came several months ago, and it was reiterated during the May 6 council meeting. Councilwoman Schlicht asked City Manager Dennis Wilberg when the information might be delivered. Wilberg asked City Treasurer Cheryl Dyas about the timeframe, and her answer indicated it would not be anytime soon. Councilwoman Schlicht expressed her surprise that the information wasn’t readily available without the staff having to search for it. Meanwhile, city activists are compiling the list (just to help out, of course) since the staff is having such great difficulty finding its own information. Why would Wilberg not want citizens to know how city hall is burning taxpayers’ money? The list comprises a financial black hole of parties the city government is throwing. Is anyone still wondering why the city either can’t afford or doesn’t have time to maintain infrastructure such as streets and slopes? *** Here’s a partial list of city-funded activities that the city staff thus far cannot find: Up in the Air, Arts Alive, Arbor Day/Earth Day, Santa’s Arrival, Memorial Day, Character Committee, Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce, Celebrity Waiters Dinner, Bunny Days, Readers’ Festival, Walk Against Drugs, Hometown Halloween, Veterans Day, Activities Committee, Storytelling Guild, KSBR Jazz Festival and Livecasts, Lord of the Strings, Holiday Home Lighting Contest & Holly Trolley, City Hall Holiday Lights extravaganza, Films of Character, Farmers Market, city-sponsored business workshops, community excursions, youth and teen classes, art competition for students, student advisory committee, Kids Factory, Teen Tutoring Assistance, music classes, makeup classes, art and photography classes, senior citizen classes, military support activities, sports, recreation and fitness, Relay for Life, DAWG including Walk and Pet Faire, Summer Reading Program, July 4th Street Festival, Chili Cook-off, Improve Don’t Move, Discovery Science Program, Oso Trail Decoration, Inner Coastal Cleanup Day, hosting a business development conference, Bears Around Town and Million Tree City. That’s not all, but it helps to explain why the city staff has mushroomed to 270 people on the payroll. *** As an addendum, here are some of the costs related to festivals, events and programs: MVTV ads and coverage, banner creation, city’s mobile electrical signs, creation of special structures, rental of restrooms and other temporary facilities, sound equipment and stage setup, rental and setup of chairs, tents and booths, police services including traffic and security, staff time dedicated to the event, comp time for staff attending the event, staff time including caterers, food and beverages, deferred rental fees for use of city facilities, temps hired to plan activities and hold meetings and conferences, phone, postage, preparation of print media, flyers, handouts and advertising, PR writers including working with media outlets, purchase of clothing, caps and misc. for staff and volunteers, purchase of equipment and office supplies, “free” food and beverages for attendees, contractors to put up and take down banners and signs, contractors to prepare the site and clean up afterwards, contractors to build props, planters, sign holders, etc., planting and landscaping for the event and repair of landscaping after the crowd leaves, balloons and other decorations, signage, “free” memorabilia, tokens and “swag” for attendees, “free” clothing, T-shirts and caps for attendees, rental of vehicles and heavy equipment, disposal costs including dumpsters and landfill costs. *** A Buzz reader sent a comment that summarizes how students are so much smarter than they used to be. The conversation took place when a volunteer was working with a college student. Student: “I’m a senior at Cal State Fullerton, graduating next week with a degree in business.” |
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